Two Metro Vancouver Transit Police explosive detection dog teams took home the top awards from the 2026 Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA) Canadian Police Service Dog Championships, held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from September 9–13, 2026.

Transit Police Constable Lisa Mackay competed with her canine partner, Police Service Dog (PSD) Harnett, while Constable Shawn Basi competed with his canine partner, PSD Chopper, in the Explosive Detection Dog division of the competition. 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. In all, Transit Police has seven explosive detection dogs, trained to detect odours associated with explosives, even when they are concealed. The dogs help police quickly identify potential explosive threats in public places, vehicles and transit facilities.  They also have an additional expertise, being the only dogs certified in Canada that have the ability to detect body worn explosive carried by an individual in a crowded environment.

Harnett, who took first place, is a five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, named in honour of Sergeant 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 Constable Ryan “Chopper” Masales of the Abbotsford Police Department who lost his battle with an aggressive stage four brain tumor 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.  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” – Sergeant Gord McGuinness