A POPULAR police dog handler and his faithful friend are retiring this week. 

Sgt Geoff Blindell and his eight-year-old German shepherd Bear have been fighting crime in Gloucestershire together for the past six years and are now looking forward to some well earned rest.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered at police headquarters on Monday to pay tribute to the pair and present them with gifts.

Geoff joined Gloucestershire Constabulary as a civilian control room operator in 1992 after a career in the Royal Navy, and seven years later became a regular police officer.

Initially stationed at Barton Street, Gloucester he moved to Cheltenham and Tewkesbury when he was promoted to Operations Sergeant in 2008.

In April 2011 he was appointed Dog Section Sergeant and, with his first dog Bolt, qualified at the end of that year.

But the two were not to be together very long and in 2012 Geoff found himself in need of a new dog.

He was asked to consider a rescue dog which was being looked after by a family in Barnstaple so went to have a look.

The family was struggling to cope with the dog because he was too wilful, but Geoff loved him straight away and his partnership with Bear began.

Chief Constable Rod Hansen said: "The bond [Geoff and Bear] share sees them not only on vital operational response work such as searching for missing people, or tracking down criminals and helping to manage crowds but also, just as importantly, community engagement work as part of a fundamental element of our service - neighbourhood policing.

"Geoff has been excellent at community engagement throughout his career but even more so since his partnership with Bear. They have visited many schools and care homes bringing joy to everyone they meet, young and old."

Before presenting Geoff with a framed photo and a box of doggy treats for Bear, Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Martin Surl said: "My Police and Crime Plan commits us to a compassionate approach in Gloucestershire.

"That compassion extends to animals and their ability to ensure a good life, free from cruelty. It is only right that we extend that compassionate approach to our own service animals, be they dogs or horses.

"That includes looking after them, valuing them and thanking them for a job well done when it comes to the end of their service with us.

"We ask a lot of them when they work for us and it's right that we recognise that."

Spaeaking about retirment Geoff said: "I have lots of memories of great times with Bear. He has saved me a number of times, and together we have saved the lives of other people who, without his nose to find them, wouldn't have made it through.

"We have had a wonderful time and we are very lucky that we are going to finish together."

Geoff is now looking forward to taking his wife Kerry on holiday as well as spending time fishing, playing golf and taking long walks with Bear.