Two talented explosive detection dogs from the local police canine unit have emerged victorious at a prestigious national competition in Saskatoon.
During the 2026 Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA) Canadian Police Service Dog Championships held from Sept. 9 to 13, Police Service Dog (PSD) Harnett and his handler, Cst. Lisa Mackay, clinched the top spot in the Explosive Detection Dog division. Following closely behind, PSD Chopper and handler Cst. Shawn Basi secured a well-deserved second place, Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) reports.
The competition, which witnessed the participation of 40 teams from across Canada, featured challenges designed to assess the teams’ expertise, precision, and collaboration.
Harnett, a five-year-old German shorthaired pointer, and Chopper, a four-year-old black Labrador retriever, are integral members of the canine force known for their exceptional abilities in detecting explosives, even under concealed circumstances.
In addition to Harnett and Chopper, Transit Police boasts a total of seven explosive detection dogs specifically trained to identify explosive odors in various settings, including public areas, vehicles, and transit hubs. These highly skilled canines are renowned as the sole certified dogs in Canada capable of detecting body-worn explosives on individuals within crowded environments, notes MVTP.
Sgt. Gord McGuinness commended the unwavering dedication displayed by both the handlers and PSDs that led to their outstanding first and second-place finishes.
The success of Constable Mackay and PSD Harnett, as well as Constable Basi and PSD Chopper, not only reflects their personal commitment but also underscores the high training standards upheld within the MVTP Canine Unit.
Harnett was named in honor of Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnett, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Dec. 31, 2020. Similarly, Chopper pays tribute to Abbotsford police Const. Ryan “Chopper” Marsales, who bravely battled an aggressive stage-four brain tumor before passing away in March 2020.
Keyphrase: police canine competition
