SAPS Dog School

Introduction

In South Africa the concept to utilize dogs as an aid in tracing suspects originated in 1907 when the daughter of a Dutch man, Cornelis Kuyper, witnessed the McIntyre murder. Cornelis Kuyper then tried to convince the Commissioner of the Transvaal Police, Colonel Truter, to use dogs in the prevention, combating and investigation of crime.

It was in 1911, when three Doberman Pinchers named Maxim, Bosco and Pitty were imported from the Netherlands, that Kuyper was granted the opportunity to prove his theories with training of these three dogs.

The dog school was established in the same year on a farm in Irene near Pretoria, with Kuyper as the first commander.  The SAPS dog school has had various commanders during its proud history.  In 1923 the dog school moved to its present location at Kwaggaspoort in Pretoria West.

The role played by the dogs in modern policing is not only essential, but also very specialized.  Man has not yet fully comprehended the endless capabilities of domesticated dogs.  Their superior senses, unquestioning loyalty and intelligence have no limits.

The SAPS Trainging Institution Roodeplaat is situated 30 km from the city of Tshwane on 204 hectares of land, an environment recognized to be conducive to dog training. Their conference facilities are also used as venues for other in-service training courses in the SAPS.

back to top