Police dogs at handlers’ homes 785/2023

FOI Reference: 785/2023

Request:

SOP/Policy in respect of Police Dogs residing at a Dog Handlers home. 

 

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Part 5 of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Dog Section Standard Operating Procedure is applicable to your request, please find the relevant pages below:

 

Taken from Dyfed Powys Police Dog section SOP (Version 1 - Date: July 2021)

5. Kennelling, Exercise and Care

Handlers home address

• Whilst there may be short-term exceptions, a Dog Handler must be able to accommodate an approved kennel and run and ensure that additional secure perimeter fencing is in place, at their home address. The property should have an adequate sized garden to allow for the erection of an approved kennel, on a suitable base and will be professionally installed at a cost to the service.
• When a new Handler is allocated a Police Dog or an existing Handler seeks to move home, the premises or new premises will be subject of a Home Address Suitability Check by a Dog Section Supervisor to confirm they are suitable for the kennelling of a Police Dog.
• Existing Handlers will not be allowed to continue dog-handling duties if they move to a new premises which are considered ‘unacceptable’. It is important that a Home Address Suitability Check is conducted if the Handler wishes to continue in the dog-handling role.
• Handlers allocated Police Dogs will be issued with an approved kennel and run at their home address. The kennel and run should afford protection from adverse weather including heat, cold and damp and clean comfortable bedding should be provided. Police Dogs should have their own bed with all bedding being cleaned regularly and replaced when necessary. Police Dogs should be secured in these kennels and runs, unless they are under the physical control of their Handlers.
• The kennel will remain the property of Dyfed-Powys Police at all times, and where an officer is no longer serving as a Dog Handler, arrangements for its removal will be made.
• Dog Unit Supervisors are responsible for ensuring home kennels and runs are maintained in a satisfactory condition and that a Handler’s home address continues to offer a secure environment for the allocated dogs. The Handler has a duty to immediately report any defect or deterioration of the kennel or run.
• Inspections of these kennels will be carried out with a maximum of 36 months between such inspections. Dyfed-Powys Police reserves the right to inspect the condition in which a Police Dog is being kept, at any time.
• Unless there are exceptional circumstances, at least three days’ notice of a proposed inspection will be given to a Dog Handler. Any such inspection should be conducted in the presence of the Handler concerned.
• When a Handler is on leave, away from his/her registered address, the allocated Police Dog will normally be kennelled at the appropriate Dog Section kennels or other approved establishment.
• Where a member of the Dog Section is pregnant consideration must be given to the welfare of both the Officer concerned and the Police Dogs they are responsible for handling. This may mean that whilst the officer is pregnant or on maternity leave their Police Dog(s) may be allocated to another officer on either a temporary or permanent basis. Each individual case would consider the age and specialism of the Police Dog(s) and the capability of the officer to provide adequate care for the Police Dog. All considerations would be discussed with senior management in conjunction with HR to ensure legality and staff welfare
• A Dog Handler will not normally be given permission to take a Police Dog on holiday, or away from its approved residence, where this involves the housing of the dog in anything other than its own kennel except where the dog is kennelled in an approved dog vehicle when the officer is engaged on mutual aid or participating in a dog trial. Kennelling in a caravan, a tent or on a campsite is not acceptable. Permission will not be granted to take Police Dogs abroad.
• If an officer wishes to take the Police Dog with him/her on leave, away from the home address, authority may be given by a Dog Section Sergeant.
• Subject to the approval of the Dog Section Sergeant an officer may make arrangements for his/her dog to be cared for by another Police Dog Handler at their home address. This will also apply when a Handler is sick and unable to exercise and care for their allocated Police Dog personally at his/her home address.
• Home kennels and runs will be kept clean and disinfected at regular intervals, by the Handler, in line with training. Only Police Dogs or retired Police Dogs will be housed in home kennels and runs. Suitable disinfectant for cleaning all Police Dog Kennels will be available to all handlers.
• Exercising of Police Dogs should only be carried out by the handler and this should be done on foot. A Police Dog should be exercised on the lead unless the Handler makes an assessment that it is safe to do otherwise. Prior to exercising a police dog, it is the responsibility of the handler to conduct a dynamic risk assessment.
• Dog Handlers will ensure that Manufacturers feeding guides are followed. All Police Dog Handlers must ensure that their dogs remain in a fit and healthy condition. Accredited Police Dog Training Instructors will be responsible for rigorously supervising the health and condition of dogs on every occasion that they instruct a Handler.

                                                                                                           

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 02/05/2024)