'It was our time,' Three women make history as first female OPP K9 handlers
Three women are making history as the first female K9 handlers in the OPP.
"This is something I've always wanted to do," said provincial constable Melissa Pirie. "I just think it was our time to make it happen."
Growing up, Pirie knew she wanted to be a police officer, but making history, wasn't something that crossed her mind.
"Being active and having an exciting job is probably the part I wanted most," she said.
Earlier this month, she and two other women marked a historic milestone after completing 18 weeks of training to become a K9 handler.
"A lot of us have tried for years," said Pirie. "I've (tried) years prior to getting to this, and if you want it, keep striving for it."
During her 15 year career with the OPP, Pirie says it's taken hard work and dedication to pursue her dream.
Now that she has graduated, she will be working out of the Bracebridge detachment alongside her two-year-old K9 partner Tytan.
Sarah Hendrick and her two-year-old K9 partner Janus are also recent graduates.
"My dog is a bit of a suck, so he loves the attention," Hendrick said. "Right from day one or day two, we created a bond, and it's increased ever since."
It's a bond not bound by gender but strengthened through the love of the job and sniffing out crime.
"I like to think that I'm a handler first, and my gender obviously comes second," Hendrick said. "I'm proud to be here, but I'm just as proud as I think any of the other males are that I trained alongside with."
Both handlers said they look forward to making an impact and supporting the frontline.
"Whether that is apprehending a criminal or to help with a missing person in the community, we are there to help them," Hendrick said.
Hendrick has already started working out of the Nottawasaga detachment.
In the new year, both Hendrick and Pirie say they will start training in firearm and drug detection, paving the way for the next generation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.