K9 Bert – Queensland, Australia

Death of serving police dog, Brisbane

Handler – Senior Constable Adam Reid

The Queensland Police Service today confirms the death of a serving police dog. Police Dog Bert, attached to Brisbane Dog Squad, succumbed to cancer over the weekend. Bert commenced his career in 2013 with the NSW Police Dog Squad where he completed a basic human remains detection course. He later transferred to Brisbane where he undertook further training in detecting human remains. His skills were applied to a number of crime scenes and natural disasters across Queensland and Australia. PD Bert was the first springer spaniel to work with the Queensland Police Service and paved the way for other springer breeds. Following a search across Australia, PD Bert was selected to breed with a Labrador which saw the introduction of Springadors to Australian law enforcement. Two of PD Bert’s offspring are current serving members of the QPS – PD Wendy and PD Kevin. Senior Constable Adam Reid described his bond with PD Bert as inseparable. “Together we assisted many investigations and brought closure to a lot of families across Australia,” he said. “It has been a difficult time for my family and I after learning of Bert’s illness. In his final weeks, we ate steak, took plenty of swims and cherished him the best we could. “Bert was one of the hardest working, most loyal and nicest police dogs I will ever have the privilege of working with. “It was a pleasure to be his handler.” PD Bert – with honor you served and it was our honor to serve with you.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.