Transferee - PC Dog Handler

Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Operations Command
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Rank - Police Constable
Location - See Advert
In line with the published Posting and Tenure guidance, operational requirements will always be considered prior to confirming posting dates to successful applicants.
The Role
There are currently several vacancies for our officers to join the collaborated Surrey and Sussex dog unit. All the available posts are currently in Surrey however Sussex officers can apply. We are also actively looking for serving Police Dog handlers from other forces who may wish to apply for this role. A serving General Purpose police Dog Handler will go straight to the interview stage on 10th or 11th July 2024, every other applicant must pass a suitability course to progress to interview.
PC Dog Handler - Operational Dog Section
We are currently seeking to assess enthusiastic, dedicated and highly motivated officers to join the above specialist unit. Reporting to the relevant Dog Section Sergeant responsible for the team that you are posted to. Your main role is to handle Police Dog(s) as required by the needs of the Operations Command at County dog unit level, providing both reactive and proactive support and assistance to operational police officers and specialist departments.
This will include:
Providing an efficient and effective service to officers or departments requesting the services of a police dog.
Offering advice, guidance and professional expertise when dealing with incidents, including Dangerous Dogs.
Actively conducting foot and mobile patrols to support officers, ensuring that through effective policing and the deployment of police dogs, strategies can be successfully achieved and the public can feel reassured.
Development and maintenance of a General Purpose Police Dog, through continuation training and working to the National Police Dog Assessment Model.
To ensure the effective promotion of the department and to feel confident enough to present this via presentations and displays, ensuring that internal staff members and the public recognise both the benefits and the constraints placed upon the department.
Attending to the welfare, training and handling of an operational police dog. This will also involve ensuring that police dog kennels, vehicles and other associated equipment is maintained to an acceptable and operational standard.
It should be noted that Operations command demands on the Dog Unit generally dictate that Dog Unit officers handle two dogs when suitable ability is demonstrated.
Key Responsibilities
The successful applicant must be highly motivated and self-reliant, and able to work alone with their dog in support of colleagues. They must demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills and be a confident public speaker.
A Dog handler's role requires a high degree of flexibility and an ability to self-manage and prioritise tasks. The successful applicant will be actively willing to update and develop their own skills, and also assist in the development of the department as a whole.
It is important to possess and demonstrate a full understanding of the Commands objectives and strategies and to have a wide range of policing skills, particularly relating to crime investigation and the handling of prisoners.
All Dog handlers are provided with kennel(s) which are sited at the officer's home address. Police dog(s) reside in the kennel at the officer's home, and the care and maintenance of dogs and kennels are the responsibility of the officer. A Dog handler allowance is payable, and dog food and veterinary care are paid for by Surrey and Sussex Police.
Previous experience with dogs, either in the working or home environment is beneficial.
The post holder must:
Be authorised to drive police vehicles used by the department.
Actively retain a level of physical fitness, in order to cope with the operational requirements relating to the role, and will be required to provide proof of having passed the Force Fitness test to a level of 5.7, no earlier than the date of this advertisement.
Satisfy the policies of Surrey and Sussex Police, and legislation, in relation to accommodation and care of police dogs, and in having a marked police vehicle potentially at their home address. (This will entail a house check during the period prior to Dog Handler interviews. A suitable garden is required)
Successfully complete a Dog Handler Assessment and interview process.
Candidates who are successful in this assessment process but who do not get an immediate position will be held in a pool which will have a life span of 12 months, pending Dog Section vacancies.
On subsequent appointment it is essential that the post holder successfully completes the relevant initial course and applicants should be aware that failure would result in their return to Division.
Upon successful completion of the course, all novice Dog Handlers are required to successfully undertake a 12 month probationary Dog Handler period.
Skills & Experience
To provide more information about the role of a Dog Handler there will be an information pack sent out by e-mail to anybody who is interested in this specialist role.
To be eligible to apply for this role, you must have completed your 2 year probationary period and ideally have a further two years' experience. It is also essential that you are suitably flexible and able to work in any designated area within Surrey or Sussex. If you are a serving general purpose police Dog Handler you can also apply.
Contact Details
Closing date for applications is Sunday 19th May 2024. If officers are successful with their paper application they will go forwards to a two day suitability course held between 3rd and 13th June 2024. The interviews will be held for officers passing the suitability course on July 10th and July 11th.
To ask specific questions about this role please email Geoff.Wiltshire@surrey.police.uk
Additional Information
It is really important that you inform and seek support from your line manager of your intention to submit an application for this role as this allows for sufficient resource planning. Failure to inform your line manager may result in a delay in a release dates being agreed.
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police