Local support
I worked in a small town where public support proved its worth. I stopped a car at about midnight on an otherwise ‘nothing’ night. It turned out the car was stolen and both occupants ran. As I was on my own, I took off after the driver but lost him in the darkness. When I got back, I discovered one of my local tow truck operators had arrived to back me up. It’s always heartening to know someone’s watching your back!
As I was calling for the Dog Squad to come and track the offenders, out of the darkness came two locals who had combined forces to track the passenger. He ran around a corner on a property and straight into their arms. I handcuffed him to the side of the tow truck . One down - one to go.
The dog and handler arrived and we went round houses, through bush, over fences, doubled back on our track numerous times, and eventually caught up with the driver.
He was a Mongrel Mob prospect, not wearing distinctive clothing His hitch-hiker passenger thought a stolen car was no problem because he was a Black Power member without identifiable clothing. Who says they can’t love each other? Neither was particularly enthused when I enlightened them about each other’s status.
End result: bloody good dog track, awesome public help and two guys locked up.