His handler PC Dave Bisson, who is due to travel to the UK next week to start training with Turbo’s replacement, said it would be an emotional last shift and spoke of the pair’s bond.
The German shepherd dog has been involved in 275 deployments during his career including – just weeks ago, tracking a man into woodland who was contemplating taking his own life. ‘It was Turbo’s nose, his tracking that got us there and helped us find him as quickly as he did,’ PC Bisson said.
But Turbo almost did not make it as a police dog. Four weeks into training, experts were going to cut him from the roster as he was not learning the skills quickly enough.
‘He couldn’t track, but now he’s one of the best,’ PC Bisson added.
One of the more memorable jobs for PC Bisson and Turbo, who is the uncle of other police dog Leo, occurred just 12 months after he first started in the Island.
‘There was an incident in town where someone had shown, in their waistband, what looked like a handgun. We could not get any firearms officers there and I was on duty. The sergeant in the control room said he had no option but to send me against these two guys who we thought had a gun – I am unarmed,’ the officer recalled.
When he got to the scene, PC Bisson said he and Turbo chased the men into a wooded area not knowing if, at any point, they could be shot. ‘I got there, and without thinking of the consequences, I had to challenge two of them. I sent him [Turbo] in and he detains one and I had to pile on top of the other. I am calling for assistance while there is a gun lying on the floor.’
Armed support eventually arrived and the firearm proved to be an imitation.
PC Bisson added: ‘It’s those scenarios that build such a bond between us. He is totally loyal. Anyone who has a dog will know what I mean – he is devoted. But on top of normal time you would spend with an animal he comes to work with me everyday. I spend more time with him than anyone else, so the bond is so strong.
‘He loves his job. He thinks he is the baddest, meanest dog on the planet and the change to retirement is going to be massive for him.’
Most police dogs retire between the ages of seven and eight. PC Bisson, who will look after Turbo at home, says he could keep going.
Turbo will, to mark his retirement, move into a new kennel in his handler’s garden but stay living outside, which is what he is used to. The officer hopes that as Turbo gets older he may move inside.
‘Police dogs are so valuable and great assets to the force in so many ways. If we have to use them, we use them. I am grateful to the States police for giving me the chance to work with Turbo.’
