Sarnia Police Service swear in new Canine Unit

The Sarnia Police Service has officially welcomed a new member.

Its new police service dog (PSD), Vader was sworn-in Friday afternoon.

The Sarnia Police Service (SPS) originally introduced the dog in April before he went to the Windsor Police Service for 15 weeks of training.

Vader has been trained to find Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) drugs, firearms and ammunition.

Community members got a first look at Vader in action with a demonstration by the 19-month-old German Shepherd and his handler Cst. Shawn Urban.

Police dog Vader jumping through a window during a demonstration, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)

Urban said at the time the unit was introduced, he was at the point in his career where he wanted a change.

"I can tell you I've been training now with the Windsor Canine Unit and Vader and I've made the right decision. This is one of the highlights of my career already and we haven't even gotten started," he said.

Urban said training with Windsor police was a great learning experience and he looks forward to doing it again in the future.

"Windsor's reputation as a supreme canine unit is true. The knowledge, coaching and friendships I made in the last four months are some of the best times I have had as a police officer," he said.

Cst. Urban and PSD Vader will be on-call 24/7 and they will live together.

Police dog Vader and Cst. Shawn Urban during the demonstration, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)

PSD Vader is the first police dog in Sarnia in over 25 years.

Insp. Mike Van Sickle said the desire to bring a canine unit back to the SPS has been years in the making.

 "A police dog is an essential tool for policing and we continue to modernize our service. This is just another step in that direction," he said. "The work that we have done will create a solid foundation to not only support [Urban's] dog team but additional dog teams in the future and dog generations to come."

Even though the official training is over, Vader and Cst. Urban will continue ongoing training.

Van Sickle said handling a police service dog is different than having a pet.

"As much as their bond will be the same it will be different. [Urban] will ask Vader to do things that are dangerous and may expose him to risk, all of this to protect him, other officers and members of the community. Vader will do this without hesitation." he said.

It is expected Vader will be on the job for eight years before he can retire.

The decision to have a canine unit came after a 14-month study period.

Police Dog Vader taking down a suspect in demonstration, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/Blackburn Media)PSD Vader sniffing out evidence during a demonstration, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)PSD Vader jumping a large fence during a demonstration, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)PSD Vader getting his badge by Cst. Shawn Urban, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)Cst. Shawn Urban receiving his certificate for the completion of the Police Service Dog course, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis with PSD Vader's badge, August 9, 2024 (Photo by: Lindsay Newman/ Blackburn Media)