The jury highlights Hanks – and dog handler Johan Ericsson's – "commitment and initiative ability", which on several occasions is said to have been decisive in apprehending perpetrators.
In his daily work, five-year-old Hank serves as a patrol dog in the Stockholm police region.
"I was surprised, extremely happy and, of course, very proud", says dog handler Johan Ericsson about the news, according to a press release from the Swedish Kennel Club.
Hank has been in service since the beginning of 2021 and primarily works with the rapid response police. Hank has several merits from his career, including finding a missing person in five minutes – when the police helicopter failed.
On another occasion, Hank managed to apprehend a person in the woods who had participated in a shooting in Södertälje.
The award Årets polishund has been presented since 1988 and aims to recognize both skilled dogs and skilled dog handlers. The German Shepherd will now be rewarded with a diploma, rosette, and dog food.
