Don't run a risk with Geoffrey

Police dog Geoffrey is not man's best friend, South West police have warned as the five-year-old celebrates four years with the force.

Geoffrey and handler Const. Jake Carruthers have been partners since the pure-bred, working-line German shepherd joined the force as a 10-month-old puppy.During his tenure, Geoffrey has detained about 20 offenders and located more than 100.

Const. Carruthers said offenders could be naive in thinking PD Geoffrey would not bite them.

"I don't want Geoffrey to bite people," he said.

"But people that run from me and the police are making the decision for me."

On the fourth anniversary of the pair's partnership, Const. Carruthers said there was no single job that stood out as a highlight.

"There are jobs I look back at and think, 'I would never have been able to find that guy'," he said.

"He's really good at his job."

Geoffrey can be deployed anywhere in the South West as the region's go-to guy for nabbing offenders who evade police.

Const. Carruthers warned the public to keep their distance from Geoffrey.

"When we get called to jobs, he'll sit back and read people and situations - he's not there to be patted," he said.

"If I've deployed him, it's usually for a reason."

Const. Carruthers did admit that Geoffrey was just a normal dog who listened to his handler's commands, and said the pair "chilled out" off the job.

It is expected Geoffrey will be a member of the force for a while longer, with a working life of about seven years.

"When we get called to jobs, he'll sit back and read people and situations - he's not there to be patted" - Const. Jake Carruthers