Saugeen Shores’ police dog Riker is retiring.
A post from the Police Services Board says K9 Riker and Canine Handler Constable Eric Luscombe began their collaborative and intensive training with the Toronto Police Service in September 2019.
The board says this past July, Cst. Luscombe resigned to pursue a career outside of policing.
They say his resignation has led to a pause in the current K9 program.
The board says K9 Riker has been retired and adopted as per Saugeen Shores Police Service operating policy. Riker will be going home with the Luscombe family.
Police Chief Kevin Zettel says in a statement “Among many successes, Riker’s superior abilities were instrumental in tracking and locating a lost child in 2022”, says Police Chief Kevin Zettel.
He adds, “K9 Riker was also very well received during visits to local schools and seniors’ facilities. We are very proud of his involvement in so many community events such as the February 2024 Pet Food Drive which supported the Saugeen First Nation and Living Hope food banks.”
The board says, “We will miss the 225 scent receptors in his nose which gave him an incredible advantage over our human constables.”
Saugeen Shores is keeping the specialized K9 equipment, and Police Board Chair Diane Huber says they are committed to exploring options to assess the future of the program.
Riker was purchased primarily through the fundraising efforts of enthusiastic community members in memory of Abby Bolton.
The board says local support provided food and veterinary services, and sales of coffee mugs and stuffed Riker toys helped support the K9 program.
The board is thanking Cst. Luscombe for his years of dedicated service, and mebers say they want to, “Send a huge ‘Good Boy’ and ‘Thank you for your service’ to Riker, too, for his role in public safety.”