Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday 4th March 2025, at 22:00hrs
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has bolstered its crime-fighting capabilities with the addition of eight new police dogs and their handlers, including a particularly promising partnership between PC Liam Brewster and PD Donnie.
PC Brewster, a five-year veteran of the force, and his 17-month-old German Shepherd, Donnie, recently completed an intensive 13-week training course and have already made a significant impact in their first few weeks of operational duty.
The duo’s connection was evident from the start. “Before we started the course, we did an assessment, suitability course here, part of the recruitment process,” PC Brewster explained.
“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.”
Their compatibility, based on size and personality, proved to be a winning combination. Just weeks into their operational role, they were called to a scene in Heywood where three suspects had attempted a break-in and fled into a wooded area.
“A job came in Heywood, with an attempted break-in by three suspects trying to gain entry to an address,” PC Brewster recounted. “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.”
PC Brewster deployed Donnie, who quickly went to work. “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 successful apprehension highlighted the effectiveness of the new pairing and the vital role police dogs play in locating suspects.
Beyond their professional success, PC Brewster and Donnie have formed a strong personal bond. A heartwarming discovery further solidified their connection. “I found out while I was on the course with Donnie that he was actually born on the same day as my daughter,” PC Brewster said. “Same year, same date, they’re exactly the same age, so that’s a nice sentimental fact.”
Like all GMP police dogs, Donnie lives with his handler, allowing them to build a strong relationship and enjoy downtime away from the demands of the job. This ensures both handler and dog are ready for the diverse range of tasks they may face, from tracking suspects to searching for missing persons.
The addition of PC Brewster and PD Donnie, along with the other new police dog teams, represents a significant boost to GMP’s operational capabilities, ensuring the safety and security of communities across Greater Manchester.
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