Two members of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police are coming home with some serious bragging rights – and probably a few well-earned treats.

Police Service Dogs (PSD) Harnett and Chopper took first and second place in the Explosive Detection Dog division at the 2026 Canadian Police Service Dog Championships.

Hosted by the Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA), the championships brought 40 police dog teams from across the country to Saskatoon from Sept. 9 to 13.

Transit Police Constable Lisa Mackay and her partner, Harnett, took home the top prize, while Constable Shawn Basi and his partner, Chopper, came in second.

Sniffing out gold and silver 👃🐾

Becoming one of the best explosive detection dogs in the country takes a lot more than having a good nose.

Over several days of competition, Harnett, Chopper, and their handlers were put through a series of challenges designed to test their detection skills, accuracy, and teamwork.

It’s the same kind of specialized expertise they bring to our region’s transit system.

Transit Police explosive detection dogs are trained to identify specific odours associated with explosives, even when they’re fully concealed. The dogs can be deployed to help police quickly identify potential threats in public places, vehicles, and transit facilities.

These four-legged officers also have another very impressive skill: Transit Police explosive detection dogs are the only police dogs in Canada certified to detect body-worn explosives carried by an individual in a crowded environment.

Meet the champions 🐶

Police Service Dog Harnett 🥇

Harnett is a six-year old German Shorthaired Pointer, and Canada’s top explosive detection dog for 2026.

She is named in honour of Sergeant Andrew Harnett of the Calgary Police Service, who was killed in the line of duty.

Harnett works alongside her handler, Constable Lisa Mackay.

Police Service Dog Chopper 🥈

Chopper is a five-year old Black Labrador Retriever who finished second in the national competition.

He is named in honour of Constable Ryan “Chopper” Masales of the Abbotsford Police Department, who died in 2020 following a battle with an aggressive brain tumour.

Chopper works alongside his handler, Constable Shawn Basi.

Championship pedigree 🍁

The Transit Police canine unit traces its roots back to another major sporting event: the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The Dog Service launched ahead of the Winter Games with a single black Labrador Retriever named Bailey. More than 15 years later, the team has grown — it now has seven highly-trained explosive detection dogs, including Canada’s newest gold and silver medalists.

Can I pet that police dog? 🥺🐕

Hey, we get it. You see Harnett, Chopper, or one of their fellow canine officers on the transit system, and your first instinct might be to say hello.

The good news is that Transit Police dogs are friendly and accustomed to the busy, crowded environments that they work in. But remember, they’re also on the job!

If you’d like to give one of them a well-deserved pat, always ask their handler first. Depending on the dog’s current disposition, work obligations, and surroundings, their handler may give you the go-ahead.

Follow the pack 🐾

Want more Transit Police dog content in your feed? Follow the K9 Unit on Instagram for more adventures from Harnett, Chopper, and the rest of the team.