The unit was previously based at the Dunedin South station, but the appointment of Sergeant Mike Calvert as supervisor of the section heralded a move to the central city so dog handlers and police safety teams could work in closer proximity.
The Dunedin dog section had been beset by problems in recent years with vacancies, transfers, retirements and officers on long-term leave.
The issues reached a head when dog handlers from Invercargill were required to cover Dunedin in early 2015.
But Sgt Calvert said he hoped to usher in an era of police dogs being visible in the community and working alongside day-to-day officers.
"We can’t just wait for a dog job," he said.
"Productivity is one of my big things."
The transition had been made easier by him being joined in Dunedin by his close friends Constables Tim Roy and Regan Mauheni.
"Tim, Regan and myself are all good friends," Sgt Calvert said.
"I’m the boss right now, but we are great mates and all started policing in Invercargill.
"It’s just by chance that we all got to come back and work together in Dunedin, which is great for teamwork."
The trio would be working alongside Senior Constable Brett Davidson, who was enjoying having a full-staffed section around him, Sgt Calvert said.
He wanted the public and other police to get used to having dogs attend policing callouts. It meant a change to mindset and practice, but it was one he hoped to educate the public and other officers on.
"At the end of the day we just have to work together as a team to catch the offender and when we catch people it’s a big morale boost in the whole station," he said.
He was also increasing the team’s capability, adding two puppies to the ranks and by next year two dogs would be trained to AOS level.
"Succession is one of the things I’m planning for," he said.
"If something happens to a dog you can’t just go to a shop and get a new one."
