View From the Legislature

Steinbach RCMP Service Dog Unit

  • Kelvin Goertzen, Author
  • Member of the Legislative Assembly, Steinbach
Garfield Henderson
Constable Garfield Henderson with four year old German Shepherd Enzo.

This month I had the privilege of meeting two new additions to the Steinbach RCMP detachment, Constable Garfield Henderson and his partner, four year old German Shepherd Enzo from British Columbia. With the region growing at such a fast pace, the Steinbach RCMP detachment was very excited to have this new unit for their local force to deploy, the very first police service dog stationed in Steinbach.

According to Steinbach RCMP Staff Sgt. Harold Laninga, Enzo and Cst. Henderson’s primary focus in the community will be helping to locate missing persons, criminal suspects, as well as aiding in drug searches. Due to their being only 6 RCMP police service dogs in Manitoba, Enzo will also be serve wherever he is needed around the province, so days off will be few and far between for the duo.

The community has already seen firsthand the kind of difference Enzo and Cst. Henderson can make. Earlier this month a young girl was reported lost in the R.M. of La Broquerie and within twenty minutes of being on scene, Enzo was able to locate the girl uninjured, lost in deep brush approximately half a mile from her home. Fortunately, the outcome was positive thanks to the work of the service dog unit being on the scene immediately. Welcome to our community Enzo and Cst. Henderson, thank you to each of you and all our members of law enforcement for everything you both do to keep us safe!