SAFECROWDS has further developed and invested in the K9 services within our integrated security and counter terrorism offering with the appointment of Wayne Gell as Head of K9 Training and Operations.
A NASDU dog trainer with more than 20 years of dog handling experience, Wayne brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the SAFECROWDS team, having honed his skills in both the armed forces and the private sector.
Wayne served as a British Army dog handler for 11 years, during which time he completed three operational tours in Afghanistan. His extensive experience includes serving as an instructor and trainer for the arms explosive search courses at the Defence Animal Training Regiment, where he played a key role in shaping the next generation of military dogs and handlers.
Alongside his new role at SAFECROWDS, Wayne works as a NASDU trainer with Inter K9 Limited, the first UK private company to train drug detection dogs capable of identifying date rape substances—a major breakthrough for protecting people from harm in today’s complex nighttime economy security landscape.
At SAFECROWDS, Wayne will oversee all aspects of our K9 training and operations, ensuring we can develop both human and K9 talent in-house and remain ahead of K9 detection best practice and innovation. This strategic move allows us to have greater control over the quality and consistency of the training programmes our working dogs and handlers undergo, ensuring they support our clients’ needs with up to date with continuous learning and help to deliver our mission of keeping people, places and property safer.
Under Wayne’s leadership, our K9 unit will deliver a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Drug detection dogs & handlers
- Pyro detection dogs & handlers
- Explosive detection dogs & handlers
- K9 security patrols
A strong advocate for using real scents in training, Wayne expertise ensures our dogs are thoroughly prepared to detect real-world threats, maintaining the highest standards of performance and reliability. And as an experienced professional, Wayne is equally committed to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare, a priority that aligns with our core values.
The addition of Wayne to the SAFECROWDS team builds on an already strong K9 detection skillset within our leadership team, with both our CEO, Rory McGoldrick, and Operations Director, Vicki Hearn, already taking a hands-on approach to this aspect of our service offering as qualified dog handlers. Vicki holds a BIPDT Level 2 qualification for general purpose dog handling from the Institute of Professional Dog Handlers (BIPDT) and, both she and Rory are certified K9 explosives dog handlers.
Commenting on Wayne’s appointment, Rory said: “The K9 unit is a crucial component of our holistic approach to event and venue safety, dovetailing with our security and counter terrorism services to protect people, places and property. Wayne’s operational and training expertise further enhances our in-house K9 services capabilities, ensuring we are equipped to deliver the highest level of protection with a scalable dedicated unit.”
Wayne added, “Joining SAFECROWDS is an exciting opportunity for me. My mission has always been to deliver top-tier safety and security through K9 operations, which aligns perfectly with SAFECROWDS’ commitment to going above and beyond industry standards. I look forward to advancing our K9 training programmes and providing the highest standards for clients.”
