MEET

RPD Jess

Breed of dogLabrador

Location of servitudePolice Service of Northern Ireland

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

  • Police dog Jess sticks her tongue out
  • Retired police dog Jess sits in a van
  • Police dog Jess at work

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG JESS

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What made Jess a good police dog?

“Jess was a phenomenal search dog but she also has a very gentle nature and spent many hours in schools meeting children and at public events getting treats.”

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What’s your proudest moment from Jess’ career?

“Jess had lots of little finds during her career but also had two huge finds. One was a big Tesco ‘bag for life’ which was buried in a hedge and filled to the brim with drugs.”

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Any funny stories…?

“As well as the Tesco bag find, Jess also had a big find completely by accident! We were on our way to search a storage yard when she kept going over to another secure area nearby and indicating, I tried to call her away but she was so sure that she tried to chew the lock off! Officers applied for a warrant and went in to find around £500,000 worth of drugs and firearms inside!”

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Is Jess enjoying retired life?

“I’m really sad she’s retiring but Jess is happy with her new life snoozing on the sofa!”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RETIRED POLICE DOG JESS

RPD Jess served with Police Service Northern Ireland from 2018 to 2026 as a search and detection dog and was trained to sniff out cash, drugs and firearms.

During her career, she proved herself as a formidable search dog, locating more than £1 million worth of drugs and helping fight crime.

Her handler, Sarah, said: “Jess loved her job, all I did was get her there and put her harness on and she did the rest!

“She had many finds during her career and also a few big ones; with over £1 million worth of drugs found and taken off the streets.

Police dog Jess sniffs the hedgerow
Retired police dog Jess sits by the coastline

“She even found drugs she wasn’t trained to locate, and once found a mobile phone buried in a bag of coal!”

Now aged nine, Jess retired in January 2026 due to her age and now lives with Sarah and her other retired police dog, Ziva.

She had never had any health problems but has started to become stiff in her shoulder so goes swimming regularly to help.

Sarah added: “She is a much-loved member of our family and worked hard during her career so deserves the very best retirement.”

Retired police dog Jess lays in the grass

“Jess is my third retired police dog registered with the Thin Blue Paw and I’ve been so grateful for the support with my other dogs. Knowing the Foundation is there if Jess ever needs it is a great comfort.”

Sarah, Jess’ former handler and owner

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