LPS celebrates K-9 unit’s 60th anniversary

By Lethbridge Herald on September 10, 2024.

Police Service Dog Macho demonstrates his agility jumping through a tire obstacle following his handler Const. Braylon Hyggen’s instructions during the 60th anniversary of the K-9 unit ceremony Tuesday morning at the Lethbridge Police range. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Police Service celebrated their K-9 unit’s 60th anniversary Tuesday morning and during the ceremony welcomed their newest member PSD Macho, while also wishing PSD Myke and PSD Robby a happy retirement. 

Police Service Dog Macho, an almost three-year-old Belgian Malinois, has completed 20 weeks of comprehensive training with his handler Const. Braylon Hyggen and during the ceremony demonstrated some of his skills which included tracking, obedience and agility. 

Const. Hyggen said after the ceremony LPS’s K-9 unit started very early on into policing. 

“There’s some other agencies, larger agencies, even Edmonton’s that isn’t as old as our K-9 unit. We’ve had a K-9 unit around for quite a while and it’s helped with all kinds of investigations,” said Hyggen. 

He said there has been times when officers are unable to find their suspects and the K-9 unit has been instrumental to find them. 

“There are times where our dogs are out six, seven or eight times in a shift and sometimes where it’s a little better and there’s not as many calls for service for them, but generally they’re out numerous times a day and during our shift,” said Hyggen. 

He said there are four K-9 units in LPS and therefore there is always a dog around to assist patrols with locating and finding people evidence and help out with any need that they require. 

Because the dogs of the K-9 unit work so hard on a daily basis, after many years of service it is time for two of them to retire. 

During the ceremony LPS Const. Hyggen was presented with a retirement certificate for PSD Myke, who is now 10 years old and is retiring after serving with LPS since 2016 alongside his handler Const. Hyggen. 

Const. Andrew Firby also received a retirement certificate for PSD Robby who is now 11 and has been serving with LPS since 2016 as well. Firby told reporters he has developed a very strong bond with Robby after so many important moments together. 

“Robby has had my back through a lot over the last few years. He is showing me things that I never knew or thought were there. He has shown me people that I never knew or thought were there. He’s quite literally had my back,” said Firby. 

He said one of those instances where Robby had his back was proven last year during an incident where PSD Robby was hurt. 

“Going back to the apprehension where he sustained injury, I have no doubt in my mind that injury was intended for me and Robby took that for me, so that bond becomes next level when you start to think about that,” said Firby. 

PSD Myke and PSD Robby will now transition to retirement, remaining with their respective handlers as pampered pets.

“As retired members of the Lethbridge Police Service, PSD Myke and PSD Robby will receive retirement packages that include health benefits and their food paid for,” said Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh during the ceremony.