Two furry heroes from the West have been making a big impact at the Paris Olympics. PC Richard Martin and Sgt Ben Smith, along with their explosive detection dogs EmmyLou and Hope, were on duty before the event kicked off on 2-14 July. These Avon and Somerset Police officers were invited to assist the French security teams due to their expertise gained from the London Olympics in 2012.
The duo was deployed to help with security operations in the Olympic Village, which spans 51 hectares and accommodates 14,000 athletes across Saint-Denis, Ile Saint-Denis, and Saint-Ouen. PC Martin shared that at first, the French security teams were skeptical of their spaniels, as they typically use different breeds. However, by the end of their deployment, the French were impressed by the capabilities of EmmyLou and Hope.
EmmyLou is now retiring after nine years of service, while Hope is just starting her career after getting her license in September 2023. Sgt Smith expressed pride in Hope’s progress, highlighting their dedication to this discipline of dog handling.
The spaniels quickly became popular in the Olympic Village, with volunteers and staff vying for their attention. The dogs enjoyed the energetic atmosphere and made many new friends during their time there. Additional teams of UK search dogs are being deployed to assist the French authorities in ensuring the safety of fans and athletes during the games.
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