CELEBRITY police dog Kaizer has died, three months after retiring from catching criminals.

German Shepherd PD Kaizer, a familiar face on Channel 5’s Police Interceptors, racked up nearly 15,000 hours on the streets helping officers to keep the people of County Durham safe.

A spokesperson for the force this morning confirmed that he had passed away after a short illness.

The Northern Echo:

Police dog Kaizer pictured with his handler Ian Squire, Kaizer receives a Certificate of Commendation from Chief Constable Mike Barton Picture: Sarah Caldecott

Announcing the news on Twitter, they said: "Devastated to announce that PD Kaizer was lost yesterday following a very short, serious but unexpected illness.

"Sleep well big fella, you’ll be missed by many."

The much-loved eight-year-old dog had been with Durham Constabulary since he was 16-months-old and, when he retired last November, was awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his work.

His certificate from Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “Kaizer has never “barked up the wrong tree”. He is still the only member of the organisation who has bitten the chief and got away with it.

“He has never taken a sick day in his career, despite feeling ‘rough’ on occasion.”

It adds: “He has an impeccable record regarding foot chases – as he tends to ‘win-a-lot’. He smiles, but he doesn’t mean it, and has put the fear of god up more villains than any other cop.

“He’s a real ‘pedigree chum’ and we’ll miss him. It’s time to put your ‘paws up’ Kaizer – congratulations on your retirement.”

Speaking at the time, Kaizer’s handler PC Ian Squire, said: “What can I say, he’s absolutely awesome. Just like my right arm.

“The bond we have is like no other. When you spend so much time together, you get to know each other very well. You can read each other in certain situations.”

PC Squire said Kaizer’s first ever nightshift is one that sticks in his mind. He said: “It was his first operational find. He caught an armed robber after a heist at the Co-op in Newton Hall, in Durham.

“He was hidden in conifers in a nearby housing estate. The suspect might not have been found without him.”

PC Squire added: “There’s so many jobs that make you proud. It could be finding a vulnerable child or tracking down a fleeing suspect. It’s unquantifiable the effect a police dog will have at an incident. Even their presence alone can resolve a situation.”

Kaizer lived at home with PC Squire.