Transferee Police Constable Dog Handler

Nottinghamshire Police; Arnold; On-site; GBP 32,256 - 52,014; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dog Handler allowance

Specialist police dog training

Operational equipment provided

Vehicle crate/cage provided

Vetting clearance

Job summary

Nottinghamshire Police is seeking a substantive Police Constable - Dog Handler (Transferee) based at Arnold. You will deploy with a trained dog to provide specialist operational support, respond to high-risk incidents and support officer safety.

You will care for the dog, maintain training, and work a 24/7 rotating shift. The role requires proven operational dog handling experience, NPCC accreditation, and advanced driving qualifications.

Qualifications

• Be transferring from a Home Office Police Force.
• Be an accredited NPCC Accredited General Purpose Police Dog Handler.
• Advanced Police Driver and IPP.
• STO Taser Officer.
• No live written improvement notices within 18 months.
• No live warnings under Conduct Regulations.
• Proven experience as an operational police dog handler.

Responsibilities

• Protect life and property and maintain public order using sworn powers.
• Respond to calls for assistance and provide support to officers.
• Handle and care for a police dog; ensure training and operational readiness.
• Training dogs per NPCC/NCTAS requirements and CPD as needed.
• Assist in safe seizure of Banned/Dangerous Dogs as per policy.

Skills

Police dog handling

Advanced Police Driver

IPP

STO Taser Officer

Hom e Office transfer eligibility

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary £32,256 to £52,014 per annum (pro rata if part time)

Substantive Police Constable - Dog Handler – Transferee Opportunity

Are you a highly motivated, experienced and proactive dog handler wanting to join a dedicated team of like-minded people.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo an assessment process and interview held within force.

About Us

Our department is committed and proud to provide a high-quality service to the communities we serve and the officers we assist. We are based at our forces HQ site at Arnold in Nottingham and all operational duties and training are carried out from there.

As a Police Constable – Dog Handler, you will work as part of a highly skilled Dog Section deploying with a trained police dog to provide specialist operational support. You will respond to high‑risk incidents, assist with the protection of officers and the public, search for people, property and substances, and support the detention of offenders across the county.

You will be personally responsible for the care, welfare, training and operational readiness of your police dog, maintaining professional standards in line with national policy and force expectations.

Working Pattern

The successful candidate will work a 24/7 rotating shift pattern (2x2x2), including nights, weekends and public holidays. Flexibility is essential due to:

• Spontaneous and tasked operational demand
• Mutual aid commitments
• Training and assessment requirements

The role is physically demanding and requires regular training activity

Key Responsibilities

• Under supervision but operating independently, to be responsible for the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order through a range of sworn powers in line with organisational standards.
• Responding to calls for assistance particularly in the areas of support and protection for other officers, searching for persons and property and the detention of offenders.
• Provision of specialist help and support by handling a specialist search dog when required.
• Provision of specialist help and support by handling a PSU trained dog.
• If suitable to become one of the forces Firearms Support Dog team.
• Ensuring the health and welfare and training of dogs charged to the officers’ care.
• To train dogs in accordance with the respective NCTAS Modules. Take responsibility for ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in line with College of Policing APP and NCTAS requirements.
• To assist in the safe seizure of Banned and or Dangerous Dogs as per Nottinghamshire Police Policy. DLO is a separate role undertaken within the department.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be transferring from a Home Office Police Force.
• Be an accredited NPCC Accredited General Purpose Police Dog Handler.
• Advanced Level Police Driver and IPP.
• STO Taser Officer.
• Have no live written improvement notices issued under the Police (Performance) Regulations 2012, nor any reduction in rank issued under those procedures within 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 where no separate penalty is applied under Regulation 35(1)(b) does not bar application.
• Have no current improvement notice or action plan in place in line with Police Officer Performance and Attendance procedures.
• Have proven experience as an operational police dog handler, having handled operational General Purpose Police Dogs.
• Be capable of passing the JRFT to the required standard – 6.3 Public Order.
• Must be able to carry dogs in supplied dog crates to and from the unit in their own car. (allowances awarded as per Notts policies.)
• To be able to securely house a double police dog kennel at your home address.
• Experience in specialist operational roles

What We Offer

• Specialist role within a highly respected Dog Unit
• Dog Handler allowance (subject to eligibility)
• Dedicated police dog(s) and appropriate operational equipment
• In house NPCC accredited police dog training in a safe learning environment.
• Opportunities for specialist pathways and future development, including instructor roles.
• An Essential User Allowance is provided; post holders must ensure their personal vehicle is suitable for the transportation of Police Dogs (PDs) and/or Training Police Dogs (TPDs) if required. Vehicle crate/ cage/ box, will be provided.
• Vetting clearance is required, in line with guidance provided by the Vetting Unit.