Jane C Barber 🐝🇺🇦

We are very sad to share the loss of a member of our NFRSA family. RPD Alfie - ‘Alf’ for short, and who served for an astonishing ten years with @WMPDogs and @WMPolice, slipped away with his tennis ball in his mouth last week and Darryl, his handler, shared his wonderful story. “Alf was gifted to West Midlands Police when he was just 10 months old. The reason given by his then owner (who was in tears) “he was so destructive we can’t do a thing with him. He’s a pain in the arse.” What should’ve been a 6 week course was completed in 4 weeks. Turns out he just needed a job.! Alfie went on to work for 10 years during which time he found numerous amounts of drugs, cash and firearms. On one occasion we arrived for our first early shift of the week. A shooting had occurred during the night in a particularly nice part of Birmingham and Alfie and I were tasked with searching for the outstanding firearm. Arriving at the scene I spoke with the Sgt in charge of the search team. “It’s a massive area full of all kinds of s**t. Could you just run Alf over it to see if he shows any interest anywhere. I’ll be in the van, give us a shout.” In typical Alfie fashion, off he went like a stabbed rat, clambering over all manner of junk only to freeze. He’d found it.!! The Sgt hadn’t even taken the froth off his coffee. No matter what time of day or night, no matter what the weather or search conditions Alfie gave his all. With his wonky front foot to his long whippy tail, he made me laugh everyday, he was a real little character. This was summed up on one particular occasion. Monday morning, refresher training. The instructor “We’ve been asked to give a demo at HQ for some VIPs.” Me “No, I don't do media” Later in the day we found ourselves at HQ in front of 100 or so VIPs, all sat in a lecture theatre waiting to be amazed by one of West Mids finest.! The instructor “I’ve hidden the gear (Drugs) in the electrical socket underneath the main screen so everyone can see him work.” In we go and Alfie goes to work, gradually getting closer & closer to the drugs. Standing on his back legs,front feet on the wall. I’m looking on like a proud Dad. Alfies almost on top of the drugs when all of a sudden he drops what he’s doing and shoots towards the audience, running between legs beneath the chairs towards the buffet..!! Oh dear, I thought.! Alfie, having helped himself to a Somosa came running back whilst struggling to swallow the thing. He then went straight back to the drugs giving a perfect “freeze” indication which got a round of applause from the now hysterical audience..!! I reluctantly gave a “click” for a job well done and he come flying over for his ball. As if things couldn’t get any worse and just for good measure Alfie started rolling around on his back all happy with himself and revealed his “pink lipstick”..!! That was Alfie.🥰🐾 Following retirement Alfie went to many a shoot with my wife Jane and our daughter Milly, retrieving & flushing game birds. He was a natural. He passed with a tennis ball in his mouth just the way he wanted. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to have worked Alfie. He put a smile on my face every single day. RIP Little man❤️” What a little star he was - thank you for your service Alfie. Sweet dreams.