The Cobourg Police Service has officially welcomed back its K-9 unit, marking the return of a specialized policing resource that has been absent from the service for more than two decades.
During the Cobourg Police Services Board meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Board Chair Adam Bureau introduced Police Constable Amrit Gill and his canine partner, Atos, to board members and the public.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the history of the service’s original K-9 program. Retired Sgt. Don Missen, who led Cobourg Police’s first canine unit from 1997 to 2003, presented Gill and Atos with their K-9 badge.
Bureau said the return of the K-9 unit is an important investment in public safety while reconnecting the police service with a proud chapter of its history.
“Today is a proud day for the Cobourg Police Service, the board and our community,” Bureau said.
“As a Police Service Board, one of our responsibilities is to ensure the delivery of adequate and effective policing for our community.”
Bureau noted that summer is one of Cobourg’s busiest times of the year, with thousands of residents and visitors enjoying the waterfront, festivals, parks and community events.
“While many enjoy the season, members of the Cobourg Police Service continue working every day to help keep our community safe,” he said.
He praised the partnership that made the K-9 unit possible, saying the specialized resource enhances public safety while responding to local policing needs.
“The return of the K-9 unit represents an investment in public safety, but it also represents something more — a connection between our past and our future.”
Bureau also recognized Missen’s impact on the community, noting his work with schools and youth inspired countless young people, including Gill himself.
“It is especially fitting that you join me in presenting this badge as a symbol of the proud history of the Cobourg Police Service K-9 unit and the next chapter that begins today.”
Police Chief Chris Leather called the return of the K-9 unit “a significant investment in public safety and investigative excellence.”
“The return of our K-9 unit after more than two decades represents both a new operational capability and a continuation of an important part of our service’s history,” Leather said.
Police service dogs provide specialized support by locating missing and vulnerable people, tracking suspects, recovering evidence and assisting frontline officers during high-risk incidents.
Leather reflected on the original K-9 program established under Missen, who worked with German Shepherd patrol dog Wally from 1997 to 2000 before later partnering with Percy, an RCMP dog that was trained at the Toronto Police Dog Training Centre.
“Wally’s addition to the service was made possible through the generous support of the Cobourg Rotary Club, demonstrating the strong community partnerships that have long contributed to public safety,” Leather said.
Leather said Missen and his canine partners left a lasting impression throughout the community.
“One of the young students inspired by those school visits would eventually become a Cobourg police officer.”
That student was Const. Amrit Gill.
Gill’s journey began while studying criminology at the University of Ottawa while also serving as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve. He later joined the Cobourg Police Service as a special constable before becoming a police constable and pursuing his goal of becoming a K-9 handler.
“For Amrit, this is a true full-circle moment,” Leather said.
The chief introduced Atos, a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd from Poland, who recently completed training with Gill to become the service’s newest police dog.
Leather said Atos brings specialized capabilities that will strengthen public safety, enhance investigations and also serve as an ambassador for community engagement.
The return of the K-9 unit, he added, is the result of months of dedication by Gill along with the support of the Police Services Board, trainers, policing partners and community supporters who helped make the program a reality.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
