Police dog Jura nabs 33 suspects in first year of service

Sniffing out suspects who ran from a stolen vehicle, detaining a domestic abuser and locating a golf buggy used in a burglary – these are some of police dog Jura’s triumphs during his first year in force.

PD Jura

Since hitting the streets of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in April 2022, Jura has apprehended 33 suspects and uncovered countless items of evidence.

Working alongside his handler PC Darren Sewell, the pair are part of the force’s dog unit, deployed day and night to protect people living and working across our communities and help officers attending an incident to deal with those who cause harm.

PD Jura with his handler PC Darren Sewell

Having been a cop for nearly 24 years - 18 of those as a dog handler, Darren is delighted with Jura’s progress over the last 12 months.

In the last few weeks alone, Jura has been instrumental in finding two stolen cars, which had been abandoned in different areas of the city. As well as helping to arrest the driver of a vehicle on cloned plates.

Darren said: “Since becoming a licensed police dog Jura has gone from strength to strength and he is developing into a great all-rounder.

“His nose work with tracking and searching is a very high standard and he is a very confident police dog.

“In his first year he has found and helped to detain 33 suspects which is fantastic for a newly licensed police dog.”

Although the crime-fighting duo have only been operational for the last 12 months, their partnership began more than three years ago – when Darren took on Jura as a 12-week-old puppy.

At the time Darren was working with PD Gilly and hoped, alongside his shifts, he would train Jura to follow in Gilly’s paw prints when he retired.

PC Darren Sewell in 2020 with PD Gilly and the then 16-week-old Jura 

Devastatingly, after just eight weeks together, in April 2020, Darren was diagnosed with stage four blood cancer and was urgently signed off work while he underwent treatment and shielded during the coronavirus pandemic.

While Darren focused on his health, Jura was looked after by another handler until they were united in December 2020 and Darren was given the all-clear.

The pair continued their training at home while Darren continued to recover before returning to work in August 2021.

A month later they embarked on their initial police training programme. At the same time Darren was honoured with an award from the Thin Blue Paw - a national welfare charity supporting and celebrating working and retired police dogs – for the incredible commitment to has shown in his role as a dog handler and trainer.

PC Darren Sewell and PD Jura collecting The Thin Blue Paw Award

Gilly officially retired from service in August 2021 and was by Darren’s side throughout his cancer treatment and recovery. He is now enjoying retirement with Darren and his wife’s pet Labrador Jasper.

Former PD Gilly enjoying retirement with Jasper