Who says a dog is only a man’s best friend?
Certainly not pooch-loving PC Elaine Michaels.
The Stanway based officer has fulfilled her life’s ambition of becoming a dog handler.
She used to dream of taking control of the leash as a 13-year-old schoolgirl.
She said: “I have a school book with a project on what I wanted to be when I was older. It says, ‘I want to be a dog handler.’”
PC Michaels, who lives in the Braintree, has been an Essex Police officer for 12 years. She has worked in several different posts within the force, including the domestic violence unit, before she took up her dream job.
She is one of just four women dog handlers in a 40 strong unit and is quick to stress she has never been treated differently.
“I am always one of the team and I work hard to maintain that. I pull my weight because I want the respect of the men in the unit,” she said. “When I was a schoolgirl I thought I could do anything. It didn’t matter I was a girl"
PC Michaels’ tale has appeared in police magazine 'The Sharp End' and her story is also set to appear in a Police Federation publication.
Her partner in fighting crime is three-year-old German Shepherd Taz.
The duo picked up the scent of two men wanted on suspicion of causing a large amount of anti-religious graffiti in Mersea.
The suspects were arrested within half hour of a call from a member of the public.
PC Michaels added: “Every day I come home, I’m muddy and I’m exhausted. But I love it and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
I love seeing someone happy in work! Bet sarge is as happy with his pooch!
If it means I have to do less work and most of all less running its fine by me