Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Hero Dog Award Finalists Martin & Tweed
The search is on for the UK’s most inspiring dogs, as Crufts opens nominations for the 2027 Hero Dog Awards. Presented live at Crufts, the annual awards celebrate dogs whose courage, loyalty and love make a real difference to people’s lives.
Meet Martin and Tweed
In 2026, Plymouth-based PC Martin King was a finalist in the Crufts Hero Dog Awards, celebrating his police companion, Tweed. Together, Martin and Tweed made history as Europe’s first digital evidence detection team, pioneering this vital discipline within Devon and Cornwall Police from 2017.
Tweed was trained to find everything from SIM cards, SD cards and USBs to hidden cameras, listening devices and trackers buried underground or concealed in drainpipes. Together, they carried out 783 searches across Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth, securing evidence that led to the conviction of dangerous criminals and helping safeguard vulnerable people.
783 searches across Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth
A remarkable working partnership that helped uncover vital digital evidence and bring dangerous criminals to justice.
We caught up with Martin to find out what life has been like since becoming a finalist. Tweed officially hung up her harness on 11 September 2026, leaving a legacy through the around 80 digital detection dogs trained across the UK. PC King will follow Tweed into retirement in March 2027, marking 39 years of police service. The pair are looking forward to a well-earned rest on the South West coast.
Looking back on the experience
Reflecting on the experience, former finalist PC Martin King said:
“We loved being a part of the Crufts Hero Dog Awards - Tweed was the star and that’s the way it should be.
“All dogs are worth their weight in gold, and it was such a prestigious and special event recognising the dogs that go above and beyond.
“I would encourage anyone who has a great story to tell about their dog to put their name forward for this year’s awards and I would particularly love to see another South West pooch on that stage.”
PC Martin King, 2026 Hero Dog Awards finalist
Discover Martin and Tweed’s story
Find out more about their extraordinary partnership and life as a digital evidence detection team in the video below.
Know a dog worth celebrating?
Nominations for the 2027 Crufts Hero Dog Awards are open until 31 October 2026. Know a dog with a story to tell? Put them forward for this year's awards.
Nominate them now!
