Police Constable Dog Handler Transferee

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Avon and Somerset within one of the Tactical Support Teams (TST) for an experienced, current serving PC Dog Handler. 

If you currently work as police officer and are looking for a new challenge with the opportunity to develop skills within a specialist unit then this may be for you.  

The Avon and Somerset dog handling team are one of the most progressive dog sections within the UK and are responsible for delivering specialist operational policing services 24/7 to the communities of Avon and Somerset.

This varied, much sought after role varies on a daily basis. You will be providing first class Police dog policing to the communities of Avon and Somerset with duties including Public disorder, searching and tracking to name but a few. This role will help to build on your current skill base getting you right in the centre of the most interesting and crucial situations.  You will need to be ready to be deployed to spontaneous incidents, planned operations and other significant events requiring dog policing services anywhere within the TST Force area.

On a day to day basis you will be working as part of a friendly team of 5 Dog handlers reporting to the duty TST Sergeant and Specialist Police Dog Leads in Force all working towards the same common goal of providing first class protective dog services.  As part of a larger overall team you will not only be supported by other dog handlers trained to the highest of standards but also a collaborative team of progressive dog training staff Chief Dog Instructor and 5 Full time trainers.

Of course, you will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing Police Dog/s in your care doing your best to provide them with an environment in which they are well cared for and given the opportunity in the best possible environment to continue to develop their specialist skills.

This role will provide plenty of opportunities for your future development.  As one of the leading Police dog handling units within the UK we provide regular continued professional development opportunity’s and are at the forefront of new specialist capability.   This could include the progression in to handling a specialist search dog (Drugs/Explosive/Victim recovery/Digital detection).

This role will require you to live in a home which allows you to keep a working police dog and have the space for a kennel in a secure back garden as the dog will be living with you.  You will also need to have a suitable vehicle in which you can transport the dog/s from home to your place of work.

If you have any questions about the role please email PS Steve Hopwood or Chief Dog instructor Denis McCoy on the following email addresses - 

Steve.hopwood@avonandsomerset.police.uk or Denis.mccoy@avonandsomerset.police.uk

Am I eligible?

You must be a current serving a police officer.

You must be transferring from a Home Office Force:

• have no live written improvement notices issued under the Police (Performance) Regulations 2012 or reduction in rank under those procedures in the previous 18 months
• have no live written warning, final written warning or extended final written warning issued under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012; (note – a finding of misconduct but where no separate penalty is applied (Regulation 35(1)(b)), does not debar an officer from proceeding)
• have no improvement notice/action plan in place, in accordance with the Police Officer  Performance and Attendance procedures
• Be an experienced Dog handler within your current force 

What We Offer

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative force which has led the way on a number of initiatives and gained recognition for our ongoing commitment to support, develop and empower our staff to deliver the best possible service to the public.

We have the potential to offer you a better quality of life coupled with exciting and challenging policing.

Avon and Somerset polices 1,844 square miles of moorland, farmland, coastline, holiday resorts, market towns and cities including Bath and Bristol, one of England’s eight core cities. It is intersected by the M4 and M5, major rail routes to Wales and the South West, and home to Bristol International Airport and Bristol Port, Britain’s most centrally located deep sea port. Glastonbury Festival, Europe’s largest music festival, and Badminton Horse Trials are two of the force’s most significant events.

A diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.65 million and approximately 679,000 households, swelled by a large student population and tourists, brings challenges in policing, with pockets of substantial wealth contrasting deprived localities and communities. Ensuring equality of access to policing for all and achieving a diverse and representative workforce are priorities for the force.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary are proud to support a representative workforce. We are neurodiversity and inclusive organisation that welcomes applications from everyone. Our inclusive culture - Avon & Somerset Police

The Recruitment Process

1.      To apply for this vacancy, click apply at the bottom of this screen.

2.      Shortlisting process – review of training records, sickness record and probationary completion from current force and suitability for the role

3.      Interviews will be conducted via Teams

4.      Physical & Medical Assessments - Applicants will be required to pass Medical Assessments / Fitness Tests as part of the recruitment process in line with national guidance specific for each role.

Should you require any further information regarding this role within the Constabulary, please email TalentTransferees@avonandsomerset.police.uk

What you need to know

Current Force policy requires officers to live within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary borders and ordinarily within a 20 mile radius of their posting. However, we would strongly recommend that you do not enter into any lease or purchase of property until a posting is confirmed.

Postings are determined based on operational demand and priorities. Individual preferences will be noted and attempts made to accommodate, depending on available vacancies.

You will ordinarily be expected to remain in your first posting within the Constabulary for a minimum of two years however this would not preclude you applying for promotion should you wish in this timeframe.

Rent/housing allowance

For those officers who currently receive housing or rent allowance in their existing force, our force equivalent allowance to our maximum will be paid.

Salary and leave

Officers in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary are paid in accordance with the national rates. Salaries are paid directly into officer's bank or building society account on the 28th of each month.

Leave already booked by a successful officer will be honoured for this year, but officers must advise us of these dates in writing when invited to attend for interview.

Any Time off in Lieu must be taken prior to joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Under most circumstances pension rights are directly transferable from one force to another.

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Important information regarding transfers to Avon & Somerset.

In line with the National embargo which has been agreed by the Chief Constables of all Constabularies we are unable to accept the transfer of any police officer into Avon & Somerset between 31st December 2022 & 31st March 2023.

Considering the time in which it takes to action a transfer and the validity of pre-appointment checks upon commencement with us we will unfortunately not able to fully progress any applications we receive after 11th July 2022 and will follow the below timeline.

11th July 2022 – 25th September 2022 - Any applications received during this time will be reviewed and shortlisted within 2 weeks of submission.  If successful, you will be invited to an interview.  If unsuccessful you will be notified after shortlisting.

W/C 26th September 2022 - Interviews to take place.

W/C 3rd October 2022  Vetting will commence for successful applicants.

17th October 2022 onwards - Pre-appointment checks will commence.  Held at HQ in Portishead – Biometrics, substance misuse, Medical & Fitness.

17th April 2022 - Proposed course start date

If you are not yet ready to transfer or would like more information please contact TalentTransferees@avonandsomerset.police.uk