Oxley Police District dog unit position filled; recruitment almost finished for New England Police District dog squad

The local force's police dog unit position had been sitting empty for two years, but local MP Kevin Anderson announced on Wednesday a dog handler and a four-legged crime fighter are on the way to join the ranks of Oxley police.

Mr Anderson said the dog will have its paws on the ground from November 8.

The canine and cop team will be based in Tamworth, but will service the entire district, including Gunnedah and Werris Creek.

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"Our police do a magnificent job, so to have the added resource of a police dog unit certainly gives them the tools to continue driving down crime," Mr Anderson said.

"It doesn't matter where a crime is committed, the message is very clear that if someone does commit a crime, they will be caught."

Oxley police used to have a dog squad, but it's been a long process to find a recruit willing to make the move to the Tamworth area.

Mr Anderson said both the chosen pup and officer have now finished their training and passed the final stages.

The police dog squad will be on-call 24/7 and will service the entire district.

And, it's a case of double trouble for criminals, after Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall confirmed on Wednesday a dog and officer team are also headed for Inverell.

A date is yet to be confirmed for boots and paws to hit the ground in the New England Police District, but Mr Marshall said it's only a matter of weeks until the recruitment process is wrapped up.

"It will be a huge boost for men and women in blue across the region, because it is a resource we have never ever had based in our region," Mr Marshall said.

"I know police are very excited about it, because they can use that dog for a number of investigations and enforcement activities.

"To have one in our region is an enormous boost, not only in resources but also in morale for the local officers."

The closest police dog at the moment is based in Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, or Newcastle.

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