Fighting crime one track at a time: Meet PC Brewster and PD Donnie, the dynamic duo are one of eight new GMP Tactical Dog Unit teams
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has introduced eight new police dog and handler teams, including PC Liam Brewster and PD Donnie, a 17-month-old German Shepherd. The duo completed a 13-week course and became operational in December 2024. They successfully located three suspects in Heywood shortly after starting their duties. PC Brewster and PD Donnie share a strong bond, further strengthened by the discovery that Donnie shares the same birthday as Brewster's daughter.
Eight new police dogs and handlers have joined Greater Manchester Police to fight crime across the region, with one rookie team already proving their worth on the streets of Heywood.
PC Liam Brewster and his 17-month-old German Shepherd partner PD Donnie became operational in December 2024 after completing a rigorous 13-week training course. The pair, matched on their first day based on size and personality, hit the ground running when they tracked down three suspects attempting to break into a property just weeks into their duties.
“A job came in Heywood, with an attempted break-in by three suspects trying to gain entry to an address,” PC Brewster said. “They’ve made off, and I made my way to the area. The three suspects have been spotted by a traffic officer, and they ran off into a wooded area.”
The suspects’ escape route through woodland proved no match for Donnie’s tracking abilities. “I made my way there [with Donnie], where they [the suspects] were last seen. I’ve put him on his tracking line and harness,” the officer explained. “So, Donnie’s begun tracking through the woods where the suspects were last seen. He’s continued to track and located items of property believed to have been discarded by the suspects, continued around the industrial premises, and eventually indicated under a bench by a disused smoking shelter on the grounds, and the three suspects were located by Donnie hiding in the bushes.”
The bond between the former response officer and his canine partner extends beyond their professional capabilities. During training, PC Brewster discovered an unexpected connection: Donnie shares the exact same birthday as his daughter, born on the same day in the same year. The five-year police veteran had already taken a shine to the dog during their initial assessment. “Before we started the course, we did an assessment, suitability course here, part of the recruitment process,” he said. “Donnie was one of the dogs throughout the three days, and I really liked him. He was just a very happy dog and always my favourite.”
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