Police Dog Handler — Relocation Support & Dynamic OST Role

Avon and Somerset Police; Almondsbury; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance up to £8,000

Job summary

Avon and Somerset Police is seeking an experienced, current serving PC Dog Handler for the Operational Support Team (OST). Officers must reside within the Avon and Somerset Force area; relocation allowance of up to £8,000 may be available for those moving from outside the area.

The role involves leading dog policing across the OST area, responding to incidents, training dogs, and progressing to specialist search operations. Applicants must meet the conduct and performance standards of the force.

Qualifications

• Current serving police dog handler with no live written improvement notices or punishments in the past 18 months.
• No live written warning, final written warning or extended final written warning issued under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012.
• No improvement notice or action plan in place according to Police Officer Performance and Attendance procedures.
• Experience as a dog handler within your current force.
• Residing within the Avon and Somerset Force area (or eligible for special dispensation if outside).
• Ability to live in a private home with suitable space for a kennel and possess a suitable vehicle to transport dogs.

Responsibilities

• Provide first‑class police dog policing across the OST force area, covering public disorder, searching, tracking and other operational policing tasks.
• Deploy in response to spontaneous incidents, planned operations and significant events requiring dog policing services.
• Work as part of a team of five dog handlers, reporting to the Duty OST Sergeant and Specialist Police Dog Leads.
• Maintain and enhance the health, welfare and training of police dogs under your care, supporting their ongoing development of specialist skills.
• Participate in regular professional development opportunities, including progression to specialist search dog operations (drugs, explosives, victim recovery, digital detection).

Skills

Dog handling

Teamwork

Vehicle for dogs

Job description

Avon and Somerset Police is seeking an experienced, current serving PC Dog Handler for the Operational Support Team (OST). Officers must reside within the Avon and Somerset Force area; relocation allowance of up to £8,000 may be available for those moving from outside the area.

The role involves leading dog policing across the OST area, responding to incidents, training dogs, and progressing to specialist search operations. Applicants must meet the conduct and performance standards of the force.