Billy, the drugs detection drug with the West Midlands Police
About this episode
This episode explores the training and operational work of Billy, a young spaniel drug detection dog, and his handler, Police Constable Paul King.
A window into the working life of Billy, a young spaniel with a promising career ahead of him as a drugs detection dog. Billy’s handler, Police Constable Paul King describes Billy’s training and how they navigate the leap into operational work. There's plenty of detail along the way - the difference between proactive and passive drug scanning. Drugs detection work is a great game in some ways - criminals extend themselves to come up with ever more ingenious ways of hiding them and use decoy smells so Paul is alive to any opportunity to keep Billy’s skills evolving, too. Paul explains why the greatest tool in the police toolbox is a dog's nose. Recorded in the back of a police van at Crufts, the UK's largest dog show, in March 2025. (I forgot to photograph Billy, hence going with the stock photo...I will replace it! ) You may also enjoy these connected episodes about the many disciplines within the police: Oreo, the digital asset dog The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025 P.D. Viper the firearms support dog P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals'…
More episodes of Dogs with Jobs
- Celebrating International Guide Dog Day 2026
- River, the signal crayfish detection dog
- Ratting with the West Sussex Warreners
- P.D. Albert, the cadaver dog
- Dogs with Jobs Christmas Special 2025
- Koa, the therapy dog working in Manhattan schools and hospitals
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Dogs with Jobs podcast page.