Isle of Wight dog handler honoured by Chief Constable
An Isle of Wight dog handler has been presented with a chief constable accolade for her crime fighting work on the Island. PC Kelly Bartle was invited to attend the Chief Constables awards. She and her 3 year old German Sheppard that she chauffeurs around the Isle of Wight crime fighting has been recognised for that extra mile she goes whilst out catching the crooks. On many occasions Kelly single handedly detected and arrested those out breaking the law. The recognition comes nearly 12 months after the announcement that the posts of 15 police dog handlers will be scrapped from the force due to funding cuts. Reducing numbers from 59 officers to 44. John Apter, who was the chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, called the situation “bloody disgraceful. Negatives a side it’s great that Kelly has been recognised for great work on the Island she does. One of the many examples of Kelly’s work was one of the first officers to attend a serious incident in Bembridge and faced near serious injury after she was attacked.
