MEET
RPD Tomo
German Shepherd
West Midlands Police
General Purpose
Growth removal
£1,100
2014-2026
MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG TOMO
How did you come to adopt Tomo?
“We’d lost our previous German Shepherd and were keen to adopt a dog who needed a home so I contacted West Midlands Police to see if they had any excess puppies from their breeding programme. But someone came back to me to say Tomo had recently retired and needed a new home because his handler, sadly, wasn’t able to adopt him. The rest, as they say, is history…!”
What does retirement look like for Tomo?
“Tomo really enjoyed retired life. He loved a fuss and watching the police programmes on TV. He also liked watching our CCTV and was always on guard, alerting us when someone is coming down the drive or when the foxes come into our garden. He enjoyed three walks a day, loved playing with his toys and loved his food.”
What’s your favourite memory with Tomo since he retired?
“We took him on holiday to Anglesey in the caravan and he had his first swim in the sea. It was amazing watching him swimming and playing with his ball in the water, and enjoying himself. He absolutely loved it.”
Tell us a funny story about Tomo…
“He used to stick his head through the door when the Barking Heads delivery arrived so in lots of the ‘evidence of delivery’ photos you can see Tomo in the background biting at the box!”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RETIRED POLICE DOG TOMO
RPD Tomo was bred as part of the West Midlands Police breeding programme, born in 2014, before he joined the force as a general purpose dog.
He retired in 2020 and was adopted by Brian and Jeanette Caldwell who’d been looking to take on a German Shepherd after losing their previous dog.
Although Tomo loved to watch police TV programmes and guard the house – watching the CCTV to alert his family to any visitors – he adjusted well to retired life.
Brian said: “He was a big softie; cuddly and loved a fuss. He was so spoiled, we loved him to bits. We absolutely worshipped him and all his little quirks.


“He loved toys and trying to destroy them, usually with great success!
“I’m retired so he enjoyed three walks a day and always let me know when he wanted to go out – even if it was at 1am!”
Tomo’s owners covered regular steroid medication for him and paid for visits to the vets but have called on the Foundation for help twice: once to remove two growths in 2023 and once, in 2024, due to infections in sores on his elbows.
Brian added: “Tomo got his food from Barking Heads which he loved, and it was been great for his coat. We were very grateful for it.
“The Foundation has been a massive help to us, we’re so grateful for the support.”

IN MEMORY OF
RPD TOMO 2014-2026
‘We are utterly devastated to lose our world, our companion; RPD Tomo. We wish to pass on our heartfelt thanks to the Thin Blue Paw for their prompt help, advice and the love and compassion shown to us. RIP our boy, we love you baby.’ – Briam
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