British police officers have been ordered to take lessons in German language so they can easily give command to a batch of imported Alsatians from Germany.

The police handlers from Derbyshire are being given basic German commands for effective handling of the team of Alsatians from Berlin.

About one-fourth of all the police dogs in Derbyshire are German, and their handlers have been learning commands including "sitz" (sit), "platz" (down), "aus" (let go), "holen" (fetch) and "bissen" (bite).

According to Derbyshire police officers, while the German dogs cost $3,900 each they are worth their price as they are already been given training in obedience and biting to apprehend criminals.

"If you say 'let go' in English, they just look at you like you are crazy," a Derbyshire police commented.