MEET

RPD Phantom

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeSussex Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionProstate cysts

Grant amount received£1,000

  • Retired police dog Phantom out on a walk
  • Retired police dog Phantom in the woods
  • Police dog Phantom sits beside a police car

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE’VE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG PHANTOM

RPD Phantom was bred by the police and served with Surrey and Sussex Police as a general purpose dog during his career.

Before he even licensed as a police dog, in 2019, Phantom was making headlines when he, and his littermates, appeared on Britain’s Got Talent with Police Dog Finn – the Foundation’s late ambassa-dog.

Later, the now seven-year-old German Shepherd worked alongside handler Jamie Jackson and the pair achieved their firearms support dog accreditation.

Jamie said: “Not only was Phantom out and about doing our day-to-day work but we were also deployed with firearms teams on armed police deployments. He found a variety of suspects and missing people over his career.”

Phantom retired in 2024 due to back issues and stayed with Jamie as his pet.

Police dog Phantom sits beside a police car
Retired police dog Phantom on the sofa with his football

“On his final shift at work he tracked a suspect from a stolen van, finding him in a driveway and finding the phone he’d hidden behind a gate,” Jamie added.

In retirement, Phantom is enjoying going on holiday and exploring the British countryside. But sadly, in 2026, he fell ill when he started passing blood in his urine.

The Foundation paid for scans and tests that found he had a cyst on his prostate, and antibiotics to treat it.

Jamie said: “I have seen first-hand just how much a police dog can do for the police and the public, as well as the devotion and protection they offer their handlers.

“It’s so nice to be able to offer him a happy retirement. Unfortunately it just isn’t possible to get pet insurance so as he gets older it comes at a significant cost, in amongst normal family life.”

Retired police dog Phantom looks at the camera

“Having the Thin Blue Paw on hand to offer support can be huge during these times so we can continue to offer a happy retirement to the dogs who have given so much.”

Jamie, Phantom’s former handler and owner

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