Two local explosive detection dogs have sniffed out the top two spots at a national police canine competition in Saskatoon.

According to the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), Police Service Dog (PSD) Harnett and handler Cst. Lisa Mackay took first place in the Explosive Detection Dog division at the 2026 Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA) Canadian Police Service Dog Championships, held Sept. 9 to 13.

PSD Chopper and handler Cst. Shawn Basi came in second place, MVTP says.

The competition brought together 40 teams from across Canada to take part in challenges that tested their skills, accuracy, and teamwork.

Transit police say Harnett is a five-year-old German shorthaired pointer, and Chopper is a four-year-old black Labrador retriever.

PSDs Harnett and Chopper are not the only members of the canine force.

“In all, Transit Police has seven explosive detection dogs, trained to detect odours associated with explosives, even when they are concealed,” transit police said.

“The dogs help police quickly identify potential explosive threats in public places, vehicles, and transit facilities.”

They are also the only dogs certified in Canada that have the ability to detect body-worn explosive carried by an individual in a crowded environment, MVTP says.

Sgt. Gord McGuinness says taking first and second place reflects the dedication of both handlers and PSDs.

“I am proud of Constable Mackay and PSD Harnett and Constable Basi and PSD Chopper,” he said.

“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.”

Transit police say Harnett was named in honour of Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnett, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 31, 2020. Chopper was named after Abbotsford police Const. Ryan “Chopper” Marsales, who died in March 2020 after a battle with an aggressive stage-four brain tumour.