Substantive Police Constable Dog Handler – Transferee Opportunity - Bedfordshire

Recruitment is for projected vacancies over the next 12 months, further processes may be run in line with any organisational need. We are seeking a committed and experienced Police Constable to join our Dog Unit through our transferee recruitment process. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to effective policing service by patrolling as directed working with a trained dog and providing high visibility policing. Respond appropriately to calls for assistance particularly in the areas of support and protection of other Officers, searching for people, property and/or substances and in the detention of offenders. To contribute to achieving the Force's vision, purpose and values.

The Role

• As a Police Constable – Dog Handler, you will work as part of a highly skilled Dog Unit 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.
• 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.

About Us

Our Dog Unit is widely recognized as one of the most progressive in the UK, providing specialist operational policing capabilities 24/7 to the communities of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. You will work as part of a dedicated team of Handlers, reporting to an Operational Dog Sergeant. United by a shared commitment to provide excellence in specialist service provision. You will also be supported by motivated, innovative and professional Team of Instructors.

Working Pattern

The successful candidate will normally work a 24/7 rotating shift pattern, including nights, weekends and public holidays. Flexibility is essential due to spontaneous and task operational demand, mutual aid commitments, training and assessment requirements. The role is physically demanding and requires regular training activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Under general supervision but often 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 and being a member of the dangerous dog control team commensurate with the requirements of the Unit.
• Provision of specialist help and support by handling a Firearm Support dog or a PSU trained dog, commensurate with the requirements of the Unit.
• Provision of specialist evidence as a Dog Legislation Officer commensurate with the requirements of the unit.
• Ensuring the health and welfare and training of dogs charged to the officers’ care and providing assistance and advice to officers in matters relating to dangerous dogs.
• 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.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be transferring from a Home Office Police Force.
• 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.
• Have no current improvement notice or action plan in line with Police Officer Performance and Attendance procedures.
• Be an accredited NPCC Accredited General Purpose Police Dog Handler.
• Have experience handling Detection Dogs and be willing to undertake NPCC NCTAS‑accredited detection dog courses.
• Have proven experience as an operational police dog handler, having handled operational General Purpose Police Dogs.
• Demonstrate effective IT skills.
• Be capable of passing the JRFT to the required standard.

Desirable Criteria

• Police response driver.
• First Aid qualification.
• Experience in specialist operational roles.
• Existing or future capability in specialist pathways.

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.
• Access to nationally recognised canine training and accreditation.
• Opportunities for specialist pathways and future development, including instructor roles.
• Work within a tri‑force specialist environment under Joint Protective Services.
• 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.
• The role requires travel across the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) area.
• Where appropriate, mileage claims may be made should a personal vehicle be used.
• When using a private vehicle for business purposes, the post holder is responsible for ensuring appropriate business insurance is in place.
• Vetting clearance is required, in line with guidance provided by the Vetting Unit.

Joint Protective Services (JPS) Overview

Joint Protective Services (JPS) is a collaborative policing initiative that brings together specialist units across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. JPS delivers critical operational support through shared resources, while promoting accountability, efficiency and transparency.

Purpose and Structure

JPS is a tri‑force partnership established to maximise capability and operational effectiveness across the three Home Counties. By pooling specialist resources, smaller forces—such as Bedfordshire—gain access to high‑level operational support that might otherwise be restricted by financial or logistical limitations. The collaboration enables the sharing of officers, equipment and advanced training, supporting coordinated responses in high‑risk and specialist operational areas.

Collaboration Framework

JPS is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. It integrates specialist operations, support functions and shared services to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Additional advert information

Officers looking to apply must be substantive in role and have completed their probationary period.

Important Information Regarding the Vetting Process

As part of the vetting process, the BCH Vetting Unit may need to contact your current line manager to complete a Supervisor Appraisal. This requirement aligns with the 2025 National Vetting Guidelines (APP 6.5.18). A Supervisor Appraisal may be necessary in the following situations: When applying to transfer to another force, when renewing existing vetting clearance, when moving into a role that requires Management Vetting (MV), even if you currently hold MV clearance, when moving into or working in a role that involves close contact with vulnerable individuals.

If any of the above apply to you, please be aware that your current line manager will be contacted for a Supervisor Appraisal once your vetting application is submitted. Please note you will need to complete a job‑related fitness test as part of the recruitment process or evidence that you are currently in ticket with JRFT and PPST.

This role has been identified as high‑risk in relation to potential DNA and fingerprint contamination within forensic processes. Successful candidates will be required to provide a DNA and fingerprint elimination sample as part of their pre‑employment checks. The sample will be used to conduct a speculative search against our database and then solely for contamination elimination purposes and held on a secure elimination database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. Provision of this sample is a condition of employment for roles identified as high‑risk. As you will be transferring to this force, in line with our PSD Biometric Policy, DNA and fingerprint samples will be required during the recruitment process.

Inclusion

As a Disability Confident leader, we take personal responsibility to help create an inclusive workplace, where police officers and staff respect one another, feel valued for their differences and can be themselves. We are committed to providing workplace adjustments, wherever needed so everyone feels welcome and can flourish. If you have a disability and you meet the minimum criteria for the position you are applying for, you will be entitled to an interview under the ‘Offer an Interview Scheme’.