Constable Sandra Glendinning joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1995 after working for the Correctional Service of British Columbia. The first eight years of her career were spent in District Two, with several years spent walking the beat in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This was followed by a few years working in District Three.
Since before her time in policing, Constable Glendinning knew her true calling was to work with a police dog, and she focused both her career and her sights on obtaining that goal. In 2005, Constable Glendinning became the second VPD police woman to serve with the department’s elite Dog Squad. The first VPD police woman to serve in section, Constable Jeremy Field, worked with her police dog from the late 1970′s to the early 1980′s.
Constable Glendinning is honoured to have followed in Constable Field’s footsteps and holds the Dog Squad Tradition close to her heart.
Being a police dog handler is not just a job, it’s a calling:
Constable Glendinning is aware that many citizens do not really understand what a police officer’s job entails. Completely unlike modern TV shows, police officers are not able to solve murders in a one hour time slot (with time for commercials). Today, police officers face dangers not often seen in Canadian law enforcement and their job is becoming more hazardous. With this blog, Constable Glendinning hopes to blur the thin blue line of policing in an effort to help citizens understand what today’s officers deal with.
Rules of Engagement
Conversation is encouraged – please feel free to respond to posts, ask questions, and to engage in some friendly debate about topics that you may have a different opinion on.
As this blog is open to everyone, please keep your posts clean and suitable for all viewers. All comments are moderated and will not appear until they have been approved. Sandra reserves the right to delete any comment containing inappropriate language and/or material.
There may be times when a comment is not approved for upwards of twenty-four hours – DO NOT WORRY! Your comments and questions are important so if takes a while for a comment to get approved it is likely because Sandra is getting some much needed shut-eye after working a night shift.
If you have any comments, questions, concerns or suggestions on topics you would like to see posted, send an e-mail to:
** Sandra is trying to respond to all emails in a timely fashion, especially those posing a question. However, due to the overwhelming number of emails received, there may be a delay in getting a response.
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I found your site through officerresource.com and I really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for putting in the time and effort.
Your neighbor to the south
Matt
How do you become a Police Dog Trainer, not a handler?
The road to becoming a police dog trainer is a long one.
Having a love for dogs is only the beginning…There are courses, accreditations, and standards that have to be met. Our trainers are police officers who go through a rigorous selection process and have experience as police dog handlers. The entire process relies not just on the trainers ability to train dogs, but on their ability to work with the handlers as well.
Sandra!
How the hell are you??? I was surfing vancouver police blogs…actually trying to find any info on my old buddy Jordan Lennox! Came across your site. You must love working dog squad.
Take care
JW
Say hi to Jordan for me…give him my email address if you’re in touch with him. Hi also to Mark Bragonolo. I went to school with him, Matt Clarke and the infamous Kieron McConnell
Hey Sandra…here’s one of Sgt. Bob Cooper (rtd.) columns that you can find at primetimecrime.com. You can find more articles written by Bob in the Contributing Authors section 2008 or 2009. Enjoy
Afternoon Sandra ( from a warm sunny UK ).
Often visit the VPD site just to see what is going on. Spent an enjoyable time in Vancouver, some years ago, and shown around by Cst. Doug Knight ( whom I have not heard from for some time).Hope all goes well with the Lads & Lassies of VPD, especially my friends at the Stanley Park Stables. Still have a splendid framed display of VPD patches in my office.
By the way, how did the Canucks do ??, remember well the crowds in Robson, back in 2004.
Will keep reading “Behind the Blue Line”
Regards
Ian
Deputy Fleet & Services Manager
Wiltshire Constabulary, Police Headquarters, Devizes. UK.
Jason – you’re a blast from the past! I’ve forwarded off your e-mail address and sent a note myself.
Rich – I’ve taken a look at the website you mentioned. There are quite a few good articles in there.
Ian – the Stanley Park Stables is a hit with everyone who comes to visit, and I’m glad you were able to be shown around. We love it when our brothers and sisters from across the pond come out for the night. As for the Canucks? So far they are up 3 wins with the 4th game tonight. GO CANUCKS!
Hi Sandra
Thanks for your reply. Thought you would like to know, my office window looks over our HQ Dog Section Kennels and Office, many an idle hour spent watching the training !!!!.
Regards
Ian
Fleet Dept
Wiltshire Constabulary . UK.
I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now. I certainly enjoy your input, perspectives, and the humor that goes along with this great blog. Keep up the good work.
- Radek M. Gadek, MCJ
Criminal Justice Online
Hi there!
My name is Taylor I am a certified professional dog trainer but i still want to keep learning! I am interested in learning about border patrol dogs, and police dogs, and all types of service dogs. I was wondering if there is any type of shadowing job?
Thanks,
Tay
Saw a comment from an Ian MacLean-Boyle mentioning Doug Knight from the VCP. He is a long lost friend of mine from when I lived in Vancouver. If anyone is in contact with him could you kindly pass this message on to him on my behalf? By the way, thank you to all of you who keep us all safe. I am not in the police force. Thanks, Corinne McLean nee Hazell
Hello Corinne – I will make sure to pass your message along.
Hello, I am wondering if you, or any of the dog squad will be at the Canada Day event at Canada place. Thanks. I love police dogs of all types.
ME659 – I’m not sure if any of the Dog Squad members will be there as it all depends on the event itself. I’ll find out and post here with an answer sometime next week.
Thanks
ME659 – at this point, no one from the Dog Squad is assigned to any event on Canada Day.
My school had a real code red lockdown today. I first thought it was just another drill until the vice principal went on the PA saying “we are still in code red, this is not a drill!” It was scary because i had no idea what happend. The RCMP arrested a 19 year old at the nearby park.
http://www.thenownewspaper.com/Dramatic+lock+down+school+Surrey+ends+with+arrest/5508282/story.html
ME659 – that must have been nerve wracking. Glad to hear you are all okay!
Wow, i was just watching the news and the suspect might have been Gurjinder Dhaliwal the ex boyfriend of Maple Batalia, who was shot and killed at Surrey SFU Campus. There was a more updated article released. According to his lawyer, Dhaliwal wasn’t the one who was detained. Yes, nerve wracking is a correct statement, it definetly was.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/10/05/bc-high-school-threat-arrest-batalia.html
I have been reading this blog more and more and you are truly inspirational to me .I am currently in the processes of policing (both municiple or RCMP) and my dream is K9. It is so great to read about a woman and her K9 partner. Thanks for the great blog I look forward to reading more!