A HAMPSHIRE Special Constable who has transformed the deployment of search and rescue teams has been awarded an MBE in the honours list.

Kevin Saunders was instrumental in setting up Britain’s first Special Constable search and rescue team, a model which is now being replicated in police forces across the country.

Using specially-trained dogs the team provides an immediate “boots on the ground” response when vulnerable people go missing.

Kevin, 37, of North Baddesley, has devoted seven years to developing search and rescue techniques across the county, combining it with his day job as an alarms engineer.

He organises rigorous training for his team of Special Constable volunteers as well as co-ordinating their 24/7 availability.

Kevin said he was “absolutely honoured” to be awarded the MBE, adding: “It’s recognition for me doing something that I am massively passionate about.

“I am so proud of the work the Special Constable search and rescue team has done.

“While serving in the Territorial Army and completing a seven-month tour of Iraq, I had seen working dogs and when I got back I knew I wanted to work with dogs myself.

“It’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

Kevin currently has two Border Collies who help him search for missing people – 11-year-old Zak and three-year-old Rusty.

He was recognised by the PDSA in 2015 after he and Zak saved a man’s life. He also nominated for an award in 2012 after locating a vulnerable elderly person in a remote location.

Kevin said: “My real passion is search and rescue and I want to push the boundaries of what the Special Constabulary do and how they assist.

“For me there’s a real feeling of pride when we are able to get someone’s loved one home.

“One search Zak and I assisted with that sticks in my mind is when we helped locate a vulnerable male who had dementia. He was caught on some barbed wire. Zak was able sniff him out and locate him.”

Praising his colleagues he added: “Special Constables within our search team consistently show the highest levels of professionalism.”

Hampshire’s Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney, said: “Kevin’s dedication and unstinting efforts have seen him involved in many deployments and working extended hours, sometimes in extreme weather conditions and often after a full day’s work.”