Top dogs: 2 Metro Vancouver Transit Police dogs named best in Canada
Published 9:36 am Friday, September 25, 2026
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
-Two Metro Vancouver Transit Police service dogs have taken the top two prizes in the country for their superior explosive detection skills.
Transit Police Const. Lisa Mackay competed with her canine partner, Police Service Dog (PSD) Harnett, while Const. Shawn Basi competed with his canine partner, PSD Chopper, in the Explosive Detection Dog division of a competition held at the 2026 Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA) Canadian Police Service Dog Championships, held in Saskatoon, Sask., in September.
The two transit police teams were awarded first and second place, respectively, following several days of challenges that tested their skills, accuracy, and handler-canine teamwork.
The competition brought together 40 dog teams from across Canada to compete in detection and general duty competitions, a transit police release said.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police has seven explosive detection dogs who are trained to detect odours associated with explosives, even when they are concealed, the release shared. The dogs help police quickly identify potential explosive threats in public places, vehicles and transit facilities.
They also have an additional expertise, as they are the only dogs certified in Canada that have the ability to detect body worn explosive carried by an individual in a crowded environment, the release noted.
Harnett, who took first place, is a five-year-old German shorthaired pointer, named in honour of Sgt. Andrew Harnett of the Calgary Police Service, who was killed in the line of duty on New Year’s Eve in 2020.
Chopper, who placed second, is a four-year-old Black Labrador retriever, named for Const. Ryan “Chopper” Masales of the Abbotsford Police Department who lost his battle with an aggressive stage four brain tumour on March 26, 2020.
“Taking first and second place in the 2026 Canadian Police Canine Association Championships is an outstanding achievement for Metro Vancouver Transit Police and a tremendous reflection of the dedication of our handlers and their canine partners,” Metro Vancouver Transit Police Sgt. Gord McGuinness said in the release.
“I am proud of Constable Mackay and PSD Harnett and Constable Basi and PSD Chopper. Their success is a credit to them personally, to the entire MVTP Canine Unit and to the training standards we have established within our program.”