Police dog handler wins award for helping students

PC Wayne Trueman was awarded with the Employer Recognition Award

A dedicated police dog handler has been recognised with a prestigious award for giving up his time to showcase policing to students.

PC Wayne Trueman has regularly visited Dudley College over the last three years to discuss careers in the emergency services with students on the public services course - the same course he had attended before joining West Midlands Police.

He was accompanied by police dogs Nate and Riot, who put on mini-displays to show students what it is like to be a dog handler.

PC Trueman was handed the Employer Recognition Award at an event hosted by Dudley College. He said it was a privilege to give back "to a course that helped shape my own journey".

"Back when I did the course, we didn't have those doing the roles come in and talk to us, and I wanted to change that to help students make better-informed decisions about their futures," he said.

His visits were welcomed by the students, as it showed his personal journey from his time on the course to becoming a police officer.

Insp Rachel Crump from West Midlands Police said: "Not only does Wayne help people in his role as a police officer, but to give up his spare time to help and inspire young people is just incredible.

"Wayne is a fantastic officer, and we couldn't be prouder of him."