Max Moors has a simple plan.
The 7-year-old likes dogs and wants to be a police dog handler.
So yesterday he got a close-up look at both during a public open day at the Dunedin Central Police Station.
Max was among more than 700 people who queued for up to an hour to take a tour of the station.
Along the way he got to peek inside police cells, snoop around the search and rescue headquarters and admire the armed offenders squad's weaponry.
But the biggest hit for Max came when the police dog handlers showed off four of their highly-trained canine colleagues.
Yesterday's open day was part of the police national open day, in which 21 stations across the country - also including Queenstown and Invercargill - opened their doors to the public.
Senior Sergeant Mark Donaldson said the turnout yesterday was ''phenomenal''.
''We're very, very happy with the turnout. It is great to see so many Dunedin people wanting to come and see what we do.''
The police dogs were ''always a hit'' with the public.
''They're always a highlight for everybody.''
They also helped convince 51 people to register their interest in joining the police, he said.
Max's mother, Rachelle Moors, said the tour was ''really fascinating'' and worth the wait.
''We got to see every aspect of the police station.
''It was really informative and kid-friendly,'' she said.
Max agreed, saying when asked for comment: ''I just like dogs.''
