Eleven retired police dogs have been honoured during a special ceremony.

The four-legged friends were joined by their owners and previous dog handlers at Essex Police’s headquarters in Chelmsford to receive medals for their bravery, dedication and time spent protecting the county’s streets.

The special ceremony was attended by Assistant Chief Constable Pippa Mills, retired dog handler and ceremony organiser, Paul Nicholls QPM, Dog Section Inspector Brad Dickel, Lord Lieutenant John Petre KCVO, Lady Rosemary Ruggles-Brise DL, a patron of the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund and family and friends of the Dog Section.

Today’s ceremony is the fifth held by Essex Police to honour the forces hardworking dogs.

It is also the only ceremony of its kind in the country.

Five dogs were posthumously honoured with medals presented to their emotional owners and previous dog handlers.

Each retired police dog received a medal, funded by one of the dog’s owners, Rachel and Paul Galpin, engraved with their service history and presented to them by Lord Petre, Lady Ruggles-Brise DL and Ma’am Mills.

Assistant Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “I’m delighted to be here supporting this important ceremony for the second year running. I’m proud of our Dog Section and everything they do to help protect the county, so it’s only right and proper that we award our retired police dogs for their part in helping to keep our communities safe.”

Paul Nicholls QPM, ceremony organiser, added: “As a former dog handler, I feel honoured to be able to award our retired police dogs for their service and for some of them, having paid the ultimate sacrifice.”