PUPPIES have been put through their paces to decide if they could become police dogs.

Kent Police Authority chairman Ann Barnes watched seven-month-old German shepherds being put through their paces in 11 performance tests.

These included basic problem solving, retrieving and tests to find out how active and inquisitive they are.

Puppies which do not make the grade are placed in family homes.

The successful candidates - eight from the group of 10 - will have training at police dog kennels twice a week.

Mrs Barnes said: "It's great to see the puppies being put through their paces and shows just how much of a help they are to policing in Kent."