Balou was eight weeks old when acquired by police in Bremerhaven, Germany, and was trained for nearly a year-and-a-half, The Times reports.

However, despite developing “from a cute puppy into an absolute unit”, in the words of a police spokesperson, he failed to pass his entrance exams.

“Despite constant supervision and all the efforts of our experienced dog handler, he unfortunately did not succeed in his training,” the force said.

Balou has now left the force and has joined a “loving new home” with a civilian family.