Maverick means business

The newest addition to Geraldton’s police force can track criminals, search for missing persons, apprehend violent offenders and detect narcotics and cash for just half a kilo of mutton and a pat on the head.

Along with his handler Senior Constable Kandic, PD Maverick arrived at Geraldton Police Station this week.

Maverick is a breed of Belgian shepherd called a Malinois, and the first “dual-trained” police dog to be deployed in Geraldton after nearly 18 months of intensive training.

Kalgoorlie is to have a similarly trained Malinois before Christmas.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said police dogs had assisted in the arrest of dozens of offenders, sniffed out around $170,000 of meth, 4.8kg of cannabis and more than $50,000 in cash this year.