'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
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.