Two new police recruits are set to be unleashed on paw patrol.

Trainee Police Dogs Kane and Oakley will be trained to follow leads and collar criminals.

Oakley will soon be pounding the beat across Edinburgh and the East, while Kane keeps the streets of Aberdeen and the surrounding areas safe.

Police Scotland posted pictures of the German Shepherd officers on Facebook.

Being a police dog handler is more than just a job, it's a vocation for life and a partnership between dog and handler that lasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dogs live with the officers at home and it's the handler's responsibility to look after the animal and make sure they are disciplined in their duty and in peak physical condition.

The duties of a general purpose dog can be looking for missing persons, searching for weapons and other evidence, and looking for individuals who may be evading the police.

Some dogs have different specialist skills including being able to detect drugs, money, firearms, human remains and blood. All of these specialities require extensive training to ensure the dog is capable of successful detection.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Being a dog handler is a unique job unlike any other within Police Scotland. It's a very challenging and demanding task, but it's also a very rewarding role."