The future of the RCMP鈥檚 next set of 鈥榦fficers鈥� is in the hands of Canada鈥檚 children.

Kids from around the country are being asked to choose the names of 13 German shepherd puppies that will be born at the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC) in Innisfail, Alberta, throughout the year.

These dogs are set to become the next RCMP police service canines.

This isn鈥檛 the first time the RCMP has asked the public for help with naming their pups. In the past, names have helped serve the animals well in their careers as police dogs, thanks to the imagination and originality of the children.

The 13 children whose puppy names will be selected will each receive a laminated photo of the puppy they named, a plush dog called Justice and an official RCMP baseball cap.

The rules of the contest are simple:

Puppy names must begin with the letter 鈥淜鈥� and have no more than two syllables and nine letters, contestants must live in Canada and be 14-years-old or younger, only one entry per child must be sent, entries must be received no later than April 11.

To participate, fill out the or mail your puppy name, own name, age, complete address and telephone number to:

Name the Puppy 2017 Contest

RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre

P.O. Box 6120

Innisfail, AB T4G 1S8

Drawings and paintings of the dogs will be accepted as well.

Contest winners will be announced on May 11, for more information.

The PDSTC is home to the RCMP national police dog training program and is a part of RCMP 鈥淒epot鈥� Division.