MEET
RPD Barney
Springer Spaniel
North Yorkshire Police
Search & Detection
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RETIRED POLICE DOG BARNEY
RPD Barney was handed into Dogs Trust at six-months-old when his owners couldn’t cope with him.
He joined North Yorkshire Police in 2018 after he ‘flew through his assessment with boundless energy’.
At one, he was partnered with Katie Reed and they started training as a cash, drugs and firearms detection.
Katie said: “He was incredible and took every day of training and work in his stride.
“His biggest haul was around £100k in cash hidden under the ply-lined floor of a Transit van. Another corker was when he located several large balls of cocaine hidden in the back of an old tower computer.
“Whether at work or at home Barney has always been a vibrating bundle of energy like an explosive waiting to go off!”


“Every day the smile on his face says ‘the best day ever’, so even if you woke up feeling down, he’d have you laughing at his daft antics and general zest for life within minutes.”
When Katie was promoted Barney was rehandled by another officer but, when the spaniel came to retire in August 2026, at eight, Katie took him back. He’s now enjoying retired life with his collie friend, Isla.
Katie said: “It’s so wonderful to have him back with us and to take him out on all his old favourite walks.
“Barney has rolled straight into retirement like he’s always been a pet. He searched every open drawer for the first couple of weeks but has quickly adapted to being a very cuddly house dog.
“Barney’s favourite things to do are swim, go on big hikes and play tug. (And eat, naturally!)”
Katie, whose former German Shepherd was supported by the Foundation for a new hip, registered Barney in case he ever needed help.

“I wanted to give my support to an incredible Foundation that looks after the dogs who work tirelessly to keep us all safe.“
Katie, Barney’s former handler and owner
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- Sponsorship certificate
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- A cuddly German Shepherd teddy
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