A courageous police dog who took on multiple armed criminals during his crime-fighting career has worked his last shift in service of the public.
PD Reno, a seven-year-old German Shepherd, joined the force on 5 December 2019 after being recruited from a breeder in Poland.
He soon developed a formidable crimefighting partnership with his handler PC Chris Duffy.
Known for his loyalty, bravery and obedience, he was formally retired on 5 December this year after a long and distinguished career.
Over the years he and PC Duffy have detained countless fleeing and hiding suspects – from thieves and burglars to dangerous drivers and armed criminals.
Soon after licensing at the end of 2019, Reno wasted little time in repaying his handler’s faith – leaping into action to detain a knife-carrying driver who had failed to stop for police.
He soon followed that up by tracking down a violent robber who had stabbed a taxi driver – using scent to track the man to a nearby flat, where the offender, weapon and money was located.
As a consequence, that individual has spent the remainder of Reno’s career in prison.
Reno at work
Reno also worked alongside Authorised Firearms Officers for much of his career and soon became a trusted asset in potentially dangerous situations.
On one occasion in October 2023, he tracked a potentially dangerous suspect for more than two hours after a gun was fired repeatedly from the window of a moving car.
Eventually Reno led his handler and a team of armed officers to a man hiding in a ditch and quickly detained him.
Reno also became the scourge of organised crime gangs targeting HGV on the motorway network – tracking and detaining multiple suspects near the M1 and A1.
On occasion he tracked for more than two miles before locating four suspects where he detained one and all others were arrested.
Reno and his much-loved crooked right ear
Reno, known for his large stature and crooked right ear, soon became one of Nottinghamshire Police’s most well-known dogs – even featuring on the Police Interceptors TV show.
Awards and recognition
Reno also distinguished himself in March 2023 when he and his handler was subjected to a serious assault at work, for this Reno was recognised at the 2024 National Police Bravery awards at 10 Downing street where he receiving a medal.
In addition to being a finalist for a Pride of Britain Award in 2024, he and his handler also represented Nottinghamshire Police at the National Police Dog Trials in 2023, where they were recognised for their outstanding heelwork, emergency recall and tracking. They were awarded “The Morton Trophy” at that year’s Nationals.
Reno and handler PC Duffy in the public order section of the national dog trials
The pair later achieved a third-place finish at the Fireside K9 Dog Trials, received two chief constable’s commendations, and were awarded with Nottinghamshire Police’s highest bravery award, named in honour of former dog handler Ged Walker.
‘An exceptional companion’
PC Duffy, explained:
“Reno has been an exceptional companion to me over the years – and has always had my back in some very challenging situations.
“To do this job effectively you have to have train your dog the best you can and have faith in what you’ve achieved as a pair gets operational results, from early on Reno proved himself and we never looked back.
“Over the years he has performed well in all the key areas of dogs policing, with his strength, confidence and ability allowing us to detain and arrest numerous criminal suspects.
“Some of these individuals are still in prison as a result of their encounter with Reno, and others will no doubt have cause to remember him long after he’s gone – including the one repeat offender who told a TV crew that he’d given him the ‘worst bite he’d ever had.’
“As we call it a day on our career together, I am really proud of what we’ve achieved and full of thanks to Reno for being such an exceptional dog over the years.”
Retirement plans
Reno will live out the rest of his years in the care of PC Duffy and his family. His handler, meanwhile, is beginning a new journey with PD Riddick, a young German Shepherd-Malinois cross who is currently going through training.
Reno pictured during an exercice at the national trials
‘A unique bond’
Superintendent Lousie Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Handlers like Chris form a unique and special bond with their animals that develops and grows over time.
“He and Reno have developed a highly effective partnership during their time together and have an impressive catalogue of arrests and detections to look back on.
“General Purpose dogs like Reno are trained primarily to do two things – to chase and detain suspects, and to track them over ground.
“Reno truly excelled in both of these areas – as countless criminal suspects have discovered to their cost over the years.
“So as Chris begins a new journey with a new dog he should be extremely proud of all he has achieved with Reno over the years.”
Reno with his national bravery award
