A Kent police handler and her young dog have been awarded with a top accolade after saving a man’s life.

PC Megan West, who is based at the dog unit in Stockbury, near Sittingbourne, worked as a local officer for Kent Police for four years before moving over into the dog unit in September last year.

The 28-year-old was partnered with young German Shepherd PD Calli – who was bred to join the unit – and the two licensed in November before hitting the streets the following month.

Megan said: “Soon after completing my training as a police constable, I learned that the dog unit was a role that interested me and a position I then strived to achieve.

"I was in awe of the bond handlers had with their dogs and their contributions and abilities within policing.”

Megan and Calli, who turns two in November, hit the ground running responding to missing persons reports, helping to track suspects during chases and or finding weapons and stolen items as possible evidence.

“Calli is very inquisitive, it’s like she thinks she’s always missing out on something, somewhere. "She’s very cheeky and extremely confident; and very much likes pushing the boundaries. She has so much drive and desire to work, which is what makes her a great police dog and crew mate.”

It would be her inquisitive nature that would save a man’s life in June 2021, when the pair were called out to reports of a suicidal man.

Megan said: “There were two missing persons reports in the same area and a lot of resources had been tasked to one, so Calli and I were sent to the other job with two other officers.

"The man had called mental health services to say he was going to kill himself because he was struggling to get the support and help he needed.

“He wasn’t known to police so we had no idea where to start but the call handlers were quick to work out, from the information he provided, a possible search parameter in a rural area near to his home address. We divided the area to search.

“It was dense woodland and there was no-one around, but I was made aware by the officers that it was a popular dog-walking location so there were scents and smells everywhere.

"Calli and I conducted a longline search and we’d been walking for about 10 minutes when Calli stopped and stood completely still, her eyes fixed into the distance off the path. She didn’t move, she stopped panting, I thought she’d stopped breathing she was so still.

"I couldn’t see a thing but she grumbled and I looked further into the direction she was looking. Then, she started barking furiously.

"I spotted a figure in the distance approximately 70 meters away. I shouted but then I realised he was suspended from a tree.”

The duo ran over and Megan grabbed the man’s legs to take some weight off of his neck.

“I’d be lying if I said I was calm,” she said. “I was desperate for this man to survive. I was shouting for my colleagues and to the man but he was turning blue and then fell unconscious.

"I took out my multitool, slashed at the rope and he fell to the ground. Calli jumped on top of him tugging at his clothes while I cut the rope from his neck.”

Megan and her colleagues carried out first aid and the man roused from a state of unconsciousness.

They remained with him until paramedics arrived and took the man to hospital where he was provided appropriate support.

Megan said she would never have found the man if Calli had not been with her.

She added: "I am so elated that I’m her handler; she’s my crewmate and I trust in her abilities and loyalty to me."

The young officer was reunited with the man a few weeks later and he thanked her – and Calli – for saving his life.

Megan and Calli’s lifesaving efforts saw them selected as the winner of the lifesaver category at yesterday's Thin Blue Paw Foundation Awards.

Kieran Stanbridge, a trustee of the foundation – a national welfare charity that supports and celebrates working and retired police dogs – said: “Police officers and police dogs are heroes who change lives everyday; and Megan and Calli’s instincts, training and quick-thinking saved this man’s life.

"Thanks to them, he gets to wake up each morning and enjoy his life. They’re an inspiration and I’m sure they’re going to go on to achieve many more wonderful things in their careers.”

Chief Insp Mark McLellan, of Kent Police’s tactical operations unit, said: “I speak for everyone at Kent Police when I say we are incredibly proud of PC Megan West and PD Calli for their heroic actions in June.

"The quick-thinking and professional response from this newly-qualified team saved a man’s life and they are extremely deserving of this award.

"Becoming a dog handler isn’t just a 9am to 5pm role and PC West has shown great dedication and commitment in joining this team.”

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