Substantive Police Constable – Full Time Police Dog Instructor- Transferee

Full‑Time Dog Instructor (Police Constable – Transferee Opportunity)

We are seeking a committed and experienced Police Constable to join our Dog Training Centre as a Full‑Time Dog Instructor, through our transferee recruitment process.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the vision, purpose and values of Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Constabulary (BCH) by delivering high‑quality canine training. The role ensures that both handlers and dogs are appropriately trained, licensed and accredited, supported by robust training records and tailored development plans for individuals and the wider unit.

Accreditation evidence, training and sickness record and latest PDR will need to be sent in to recruitment@bch.police.uk to be reviewed alongside eligibility checks.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Sergeant Jim Hoare, Police Dog Training Manager - jim.hoare@herts.police.uk

The Role

As a Dog Instructor, you will be responsible for planning, developing and delivering both initial and ongoing training to General Purpose Patrol and Specialist Search dog handlers. Training delivery will be aligned with:

• National Canine Training Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS)
• College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP)
• NPCC Dog Training Standards

You will play a key role in maintaining operational readiness, professional standards and continuous development across the Dog Unit.

About Us

Our Dog Unit is widely recognised 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 five Dog Instructors, reporting to the Dog Training Manager, united by a shared commitment to excellence in canine training. You will also be supported by motivated and professional handlers across the wider Dog Unit.

The Dog Training Centre is based at Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters, with operational deployment bases located at the respective headquarters across the BCH alliance.

Working Pattern

The successful candidate will normally work a 10‑hour shift pattern, Monday to Thursday. Flexibility is essential, as there may be occasions where duties change to accommodate:

• Early morning or evening working due to adverse weather
• Attendance at mutual aid deployments or operational commitments

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and deliver initial training to prospective police dog handlers, in line with the National Canine Training Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS), College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP), and NPCC Dog Training Standards.
• Plan, develop and deliver dog‑specific training for General Purpose Dogs (GPD) and Detection Dogs.
• Ensure accurate and up‑to‑date training, licensing and accreditation records are maintained in accordance with force protocols.
• Work collaboratively with the Dog Training Manager to develop bespoke training interventions and action plans, where required, to maintain operational effectiveness and professional standards across police dog teams.
• Assess the suitability of prospective working dogs and determine their appropriateness for training as police dogs.
• “Run on” police dogs where required to maintain operational resilience.
• Provide resilience within the Dog Training Team by contributing as both a specialist and general trainer.
• Support and develop officers who assist with occasional or ad‑hoc training delivery.
• Maintain sufficient specialist knowledge to advise officers, statutory partners and the public on police dog deployment and relevant legislation.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Handle an operational police dog, subject to operational requirements.
• Act as a Public Order Public Safety (POPS) Dog Serial Commander, subject to operational demand.
• 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
  (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.
• Be an accredited NPCC Dog Training Instructor for General Purpose Police Dog Teams.
• Have experience handling Detection Dogs and/or People Screen Detection Dogs and be willing to undertake NPCC and/or NCTAS‑accredited specialist search dog instructor courses.
• Have experience delivering initial General Purpose Police Dog courses for both novice and experienced handlers.
• Have proven experience as an operational police dog handler, having handled a minimum of two operational General Purpose Police Dogs and two Detection Dogs.
• Be able to produce clear, concise written assessment and evaluation reports.
• Be able to develop and complete lesson plans, risk assessments and associated training documentation.
• Demonstrate effective IT skills to plan, organise and record training activity.
• Be capable of passing the JRFT to the required standard of level 5.7.

Desirable Criteria

• Police response driver.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• Health and Safety Risk Assessor qualification.
• Classroom Skills course.
• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector / Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET).
• Additional instructional experience, either within the organisation or externally.
• Previous and/or current experience in other specialist policing roles or holding relevant additional qualifications.

What We Offer

• Initial applications will be considered from existing instructors who are currently handling both a General Purpose Dog (GPD) and a Detection Dog. Once the GPD reaches retirement age, it will not be replaced while the post holder remains in the role of full‑time Dog Instructor.
• The post holder will retain the Dog Handler allowance, dependent on the number of dogs handled.
• The post holder will have use of a dedicated, fully equipped vehicle when available, containing all relevant training equipment, DEFRA‑compliant cages, and secure storage for training aids.
• 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. JPS also forms part of wider regional collaboration within the Eastern Region. Bedfordshire Police leads the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), coordinating serious and organised crime and counter‑terrorism activity across seven forces, including those within the JPS partnership.

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.

Please note: This role has been identified as high-risk in relation to potential DNA and fingerprint contamination within forensic processes. As such, 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.

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