Police Dogs. Freedom of Information Act Open. Government Security Classifications OFFICIAL. Implementation Date 03/08/2017. Version Date 03/08/2017

Transcription

1 Police Dogs Reference No. SA:004 Implementation Date 03/08/2017 Version Date 03/08/2017 Version Number Version 1.0 Freedom of Information Act Open Government Security Classifications OFFICIAL

2 Table of Contents 1.0 Policy Section 2.0 Standards 3.0 Procedure Section 3.1 Deployment of Police dogs (general) 3.2 Deployment of Police dogs (operational) 3.3 Selection of Dog Handlers 3.4 Training 3.5 Roles and Responsibilities 3.6 Specialist Dogs 3.7 Call Outs, Retention on Duty and Rest Day Working 3.8 Muzzling of Police dogs 3.9 Dog Bites 3.10 Drugs Searches 3.11 Dog Handlers Corporate Uniform 3.12 Kennelling of Police Dogs in Private kennels 3.13 Welfare of injured or sick dogs 3.14 Kennel Hour 3.15 Kennelling of Police Dogs at home 3.16 Public Relations Work 3.17 Banned Breeds and Dangerous Dogs 3.18 Dog Attacks on Assistance Dogs 3.19 Dog Procurement 3.20 Retirement of Police Dogs 4.0 Consultation and Authorisation 5.0 Version Control 2

3 1 Policy Section 1.1 Vision of the Strategic Alliance Working together as it can offer the best opportunity to:- Develop service delivery to the public Ensure delivery against the PCCs Police and Crime Plans Retain a local policing identity Ensure resilience around our Strategic Policing Requirement Maximise value for money Maximise opportunities for the ongoing personal/professional development of our staff This approach also satisfies the set critical success factors as follows:- Both forces mitigate/manage their greatest threat, harm and risks Both forces achieve their medium term financial strategies The strategic policing requirement continues to be met with reducing resources A transformational approach to service delivery Both forces adapt and respond to change in an agile/positive way Opportunities to invest in new capabilities to meet emerging threats and technology 1.2 Statement of Intent Aim and Rationale This policy explains the Strategic Alliance (SA) of Dorset Police (DP) and Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP) Polices approach to Police Dogs including as a use of force. It applies to operational officers and Police Staff who use, train and deploy Police Dogs as part of their duties The prompt and proper utilisation of a trained police dog has proven to be a valuable resource for police forces across the UK. When correctly deployed, they can substantially enhance the safety of both officers and the public, both in terms of protective action and search for vulnerable or wanted persons, property, explosives and/or drugs. Additionally, there is a likelihood of suspect apprehension, with a significantly reduced time-scale for any search of an area or building for such suspects The strategic aim of the Alliance Dogs Team is the protection of life, apprehension of offenders and prevention of crime The policy also explains how the Alliance Dogs Team will deal with Dangerous and Banned Breed Dogs and attacks on assistance dogs For guidance in relation to Fatal or serious dog attacks, please refer to working practice DU2 Fatal or Serious Dog Attack Protocol. 1.3 National Decision Model The National Decision Model (NDM) is the primary decision-making model used in both Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police. Where applied it ensures that ethical (see Code of Ethics), proportionate and defensible decisions can be made in relation to operational and non-operational policing. The latest guidance can be found via this APP link. 3

4 1.4 Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics underpins every policy, procedure, decision and action in policing today and staff are reminded of the need to comply with the standards and principles of the Code of Ethics for policing. 1.5 Authorised Professional Practice The College of Policing (CoP) offers an online service that provides access to a consolidated body of guidance for policing called Authorised Professional Practice (APP). This enables officers and staff to access and search for the most up to date approved guidance, replacing a number of previously published NPIA and ACPO documents. APP guidance on police dogs should be accessed in conjunction with this policy. 4

5 2 Standards 2.1 Standards This policy should be used in conjunction with the ACPO Manual of Guidance. Strategic Alliance police dogs are trained and deployed under the ACPO Police Dog Manual of Guidance The police service is bound by a duty of care to any person who may be at risk from the foreseeable dangers inherent in the deployment of police dogs, whether they are police employees, members of the public or suspected offenders. Inevitably, there will be occasions on which police dogs are deployed as an instrument of force. The circumstances of that use, considerations and requirements for it and post incident processes are contained within the ACPO Manual of Guidance The definition of a Police Dog and Dog Handler used in this document is the same as that given in given in the ACPO Manual of Guidance (Page 36) The Alliance Dogs Team Inspector is the Head of Profession In referring to this policy, the following generic risk assessments should be considered:- Dog Handling Duties Dog & Dog Handler Training Dog Handling Duties Operational Dog Handling Dog Handling Duties Off Duty Dog Handling All records created as a result of this policy will be retained in accordance with policy D032 Records Management. 2.2 Assessment Compliance This document has been drafted and audited to comply with the principles of the Human Rights Act. Internal and external Equality and diversity issues have also been considered to ensure compliance with Equality legislation and policies. In addition Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Management of Police Information and Health and Safety issues have been considered. Adherence to this document will therefore ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and internal policies. 2.3 Feedback Feedback relating to this policy can be made in writing or by to Address: Force Policy Unit, HQ, Middlemoor forcepolicyandprocedures@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk 5

6 3 Procedure Section 3.1 Deployment of Police dogs (general) () A police dog used to apprehend is best understood as an instrument of force, like a baton, to be judged according to the rules that apply to the police use of force generally. The Chief Constables remain vicariously liable for any decisions made regarding the deployment of a police dog by any incident commander. Additionally, the handler remains personally liable for their use of force. Substantial force inflicting serious injuries must be reasonable and necessary according to the circumstances confronting the officers When a police dog is deployed as a use of force response option, this objective remains the same. The same rule of law applies in terms of both Common Law and section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, in that any force must be reasonable in circumstances. Common Law allows such force to be used for self-protection or the protection of others and in some circumstances, property Before any force is used, the officer will satisfy themselves that the criteria for the use of force is satisfied. (The use of the National Decision Model has been adopted to enable staff to provide sound justification for their actions.) Police dogs and handlers are intended to provide support to other operational officers with their specialist skills working in a large group(s), pairs or singly, dependent upon the task Whilst all general purpose police dogs are competent for use for public order control, tracking, building searches, searches for persons or property and security patrols, some handlers have additional dogs with specialist skills which are recorded on GRS Web as follows: General duties Drugs Passive Drug Dog Explosives Firearms Support Firearms search Cash Detection 3.2 Deployment of Police dogs (operational) () Police dog handlers are Operational Support Command Officers with a dog handling attribute. Handlers will sign on duty in the usual manner, ensuring that their Airwave is turned on and tuned to the appropriate channel. On coming to duty handlers must ensure they are booked on to the correct call sign, update their duty status and speak directly to the Alliance Dogs Team Sergeant on duty Dog handlers on patrol will be deployed throughout the Strategic Alliance area to incidents requiring their dog handling skills. If a handler is deployed on a 'non-dog' task it must be acknowledged that they will have to be supported or relieved if a task requiring their dog handling skills should subsequently arise. 6

7 3.2.3 The Alliance Operations Department Command is committed to providing dog resources for all pre-planned events such as football matches, drug searches and other specialist searches which require the deployment of police dogs. Early notification should be made to Strategic Alliance tasking to ensure that dogs can be made available in the numbers and with the specialist skills required. It is stressed that early notification is required in order to minimise the disruption to the dog cover across the Alliance Alliance Dogs Team Sergeants will be responsible for monitoring the deployment of handlers in liaison with the Force Incident Commander/Force Incident Manager (FIC /FIM), as dog handlers are Alliance Operations Department resources. Daily management of dog handlers will be the responsibility of their Alliance Operations Department line management While the Alliance Dogs Team Sergeants and Inspector are responsible for daily management and Intelligence led tasking, spontaneous deployments are governed by the on duty FIC/FIM. When not being deployed at the FIM/FIC s discretion handlers will revert to directed intelligence led patrol Advice on the use of police dogs can be obtained from any operational police dog handler. 3.3 Selection of Dog Handlers () Applicants will complete an evidence based application form that will be paper sifted against the key essential and desirable criteria from the role description and person specification. If considered appropriate and necessary, applicants will be required to undergo an interview to ensure that they are suitable for the role. Applicants will be required to take part in an appropriate assessment centre. The selection of Dog Handlers and the process used is the responsibility of the Head of Profession however individual elements of the process may be facilitated by other departments. Specific attention will be made to the ACPO Police Dogs Manual of Guidance when selecting officers to be Dog Handlers to ensure that candidates have the appropriate skill set for the role All prospective candidates must be willing to train and pass, DLO, Explo, DCF, Firearms Support Courses if required and to handle the equivalent dog, if required by the section Post movement within the section will be at the discretion of the Alliance Dogs Team Inspector in discussion with the team Sergeants. Officers wishing to move from team to team or station to station must submit a report to the Dogs Team Inspector via, and with support of, their sergeant, comprehensively detailing their rationale All members of the Alliance Dogs Team or working regularly with the team, including Constables, Sergeants and Trainers, will be subject of an annual hearing test. 3.4 Training () The delivery and recording of formal training of Alliance Police Dogs is the responsibility of the Learning and Development Department The accurate maintenance of training records is the responsibility of each Dog Handler under the supervision of their Sergeant. Sergeants will check each Dog Handlers training records as part of monthly work checks. 7

8 3.4.3 It is the responsibility of each Dog Handler, in conjunction with their Sergeant, to ensure that each Police Dog, for which they have full time possession and care of, receives the correct number of annual training days dictated for that particular type of dog by the ACPO Manual of Guidance All Explosive Search trained Handlers must attend one MOD run exercise every two years to maintain their licence If it is identified that a Dog team is failing on safety or control matters, they will be removed from operational duty and have 30 working days to be re-assessed by the same assessor. If they again fail, within those 30 days, the dog is not allowed to return to duty and there is to be no further re-assessment. If the team fail on efficiency only (the principle here being that if the dog is not capable of doing an exercise for licensing then it is unsafe or inefficient) they can have an agreed action plan for up to three months. If still not achieved then the action plan can be extended or amended for another three months. If after the second action plan the team has not met the desired standard, then it is for Alliance Dogs Team Management Team to decide what further action will be taken in relation to the dog and/or handler Police Dog Handlers must ensure that they liaise, on an annual basis with the Dog Training School to receive Taser Exposure Activation. It is the responsibility of the Dog Training School to include and deliver, within annual GP refresher courses, Taser Exposure Activation to all GP Dogs. 3.5 Roles and Responsibilities Commander, Alliance Operations Department will be responsible for the provision of Dog resources which are available as a Force resource. () (FOIA Closed. S31(1)(a)) 3.6 Specialist Dogs () Proactive Drug Detection Dogs These are trained to search and indicate the presence of a variety of drugs. These dogs can be used to search premises, vehicle or areas. The dogs will not be used to search persons Passive Drug Detection Dogs - These are trained to screen the air around persons and give a non-intrusive indication of the presence of drugs. This action by the dog will give grounds for a police officer to conduct a search of the person for unlawful possession of drugs Cash Detection Dogs - A number of Strategic Alliance drugs search dogs are trained in the additional skill of cash detection. The dogs are able to search and locate large amounts of bank notes Firearms (Weapons) Search Dogs A number of Strategic Alliance drug dogs are also trained to search for firearms. This is an additional skill that they have attained and it enables them to search and locate the component parts of, or a complete firearm. 8

9 3.6.5 Explosives Detection Dogs These dogs are trained to search and indicate the presence of a variety of commercial and homemade explosives. They can be used for pre-planned searches as requested by Force POLSAs Firearms Support Dogs These dogs are able to work in close support with firearms officers to search buildings and other locations. All support trained dogs and handlers must attend a minimum of two joint training sessions per year with firearms officers in order to ensure that they are competent in that role. Failure to do so may result in the loss of that qualification. The responsibility for ensuring this takes place will be between the individual dog handler, their supervisor, the Firearms Training Inspector and the Dog School Training Manager Where available a Firearms Support Dog should be deployed to all spontaneous and planned incidents involving the deployment of firearms officers. Consideration should also be given to the deployment of general police dogs at all incidents involving the deployment of firearms officers whether spontaneous or planned. Before deploying any police dog, advice should be sought from the handler as to the use, capability and limitations of the dog It must be remembered that general purpose dogs, should only be used in support of outer containments at armed deployments. The police dog can then be used for a straight chase should a subject break out of the inner containment. Where specific joint firearms and dog tactics are intended to be instigated, a Firearms Support Dog should be used Requests for further Firearms Support Dogs in support of an initial deployment will be made by the senior firearms officer in tactical command of the incident. Handlers deployed on such incidents should not be expected to work a tour of duty in excess of 13 hours where possible, for safety purposes. (If there is any doubt as to the number of hours an officer can be required to work, reference should be made to the Working Time Regulations). Arrangements should be made to relieve them with suitably trained officers and dogs. Callouts for support dogs can be authorised by the FIM/FIC or any of the dog Sergeants for speed of deployment. 3.7 Call Outs, Retention on Duty and Rest Day Working () Where there is an urgent need for the attendance of a police dog at an incident and the appropriate resource is not currently available; consideration may be given to calling out a dog unit if the criteria below are met. These criteria may be varied by the Commander, Alliance Operations Department. The FIM/FIC may authorise a call out if it is deemed as an immediate operational necessity, in consultation with a dog sergeant (if necessary) Handlers will turn out on rest days only in exceptional circumstances and only when authorised to do so by a FIM/FIC. Handlers who are recalled on their rest day must ask who has authorised the call out and will decline to turn out if it has not been correctly authorised. The exceptions to this will be: i) where a Tactical Firearms Team has been called out and the dog handler is required (support trained) as part of the team or ii) iii) an explosives search dog is required immediately or where the matter is otherwise one of life or death, where delay to call out would endanger life. 9

10 3.7.3 An Alliance Dogs Team Sergeant may authorise their overtime for general purpose work, where the following criteria are met. i) An offence has been committed; and ii) There is an offender at large in a given area, and iii) That person cannot be promptly located without the assistance of a dog; and iv) The nature of the offence and the circumstances of it justify the call out such as a high risk Missing Person (Misper) v) A search is being conducted for a high risk missing person; and vi) vii) The person is thought to be in a given location; and The person cannot be promptly located without the use of a police dog and any delay would endanger life. 3.8 Muzzling of Police dogs () All police dogs are required to be capable of being muzzled, particularly for vet visits, helicopter trips and public order training. Police dogs should therefore be familiar with wearing a muzzle for short periods Where a number of police dogs are deployed together at pre-planned events where there is a possibility of public disorder, such as football matches, consideration will be given to muzzling of police dogs in order to expedite the quick and safe deployment of dogs through crowds of people. This will prevent unnecessary dog bites to the public and police officers. Muzzles will then be removed to deal with any incident as necessary. At such events, the Bronze dog commander will decide whether or not to muzzle the police dogs Welfare of the dog must be considered and no dog will be muzzled for an extended period of time On all other occasions, including high visibility patrols, where an innocent person or a police officer may be in danger of being bitten by a police dog, the dog handler will dynamically risk assess the situation and consider the option of muzzling the dog or using a Halti type collar. 3.9 Dog Bites () Any incident that results in a Police Dog bite, whether deliberate or accidental, must be recorded via the Alliance Dogs Team Bite report. A Bite report must be submitted to an Alliance Dogs Team Sergeant within 48 hours of the incident. The Bite Report must outline the complete circumstances of the incident including the dog handlers rationale for deploying the dog based on the National Decision Model The Dog Handler must immediately advise a supervisor of the bite and ensure the on duty Dogs Team Sergeant and Dog Inspector are informed either directly or via before completing the tour of duty or as soon as possible afterwards The Dogs Team Sergeant will debrief the Dog Handler and complete their recommendation before forwarding the Bite report to the Training Manager. The Training Manager and Inspector will liaise closely about all Bite Reports On receipt of the report the Training Manager in consultation with the Inspector will make a decision regarding whether the dog should remain operational or should be temporarily withdrawn from operational duty whilst a safety and control check is completed. 10

11 3.9.5 All bites by Police Dogs will be recorded on a Bite Register held by the Training School. And retained for a period of 6 years after the retirement of the dog Drugs Searches () The Force has a number of specialist drugs dogs and their services are in great demand. Officers should consider their use at an early stage in their planning in order to have the best chance of securing the resources necessary Where a drug dog is required at short notice, the relevant Force Contact Centre will endeavour to provide the necessary resource from on duty handlers in consultation with the Dogs Team Sergeant. Rest Day working for drugs dogs will only be permitted in accordance with the rest day working criteria. Other overtime for drugs dogs units may be authorised by a dog sergeant in the following circumstances: i) The occupier of a premises or vehicle which it is proposed to search is a known supplier of drugs. ii) It is believed that drugs of a high value are present on the premises or in the vehicle. iii) They cannot be found without the assistance of a drugs dog PACE Searches. Drugs dogs will, where possible, be provided to assist with PACE searches and overtime will only be incurred in accordance with the rest day working criteria. There is a need to balance any requests for PACE drugs searches against the needs of a particular area for general purpose cover Dog Handlers Uniform () When patrolling, Dog Handlers will only wear clothing which may be visible to the public and that has been issued by their respective force, unless directed to by a supervisory officer Force issue waterproof clothing with coverable police markings will be worn during inclement weather conditions The Dog Handlers wicking shirt will be worn underneath an equipment vest with the Force number clearly visible when on operational duties throughout the Force White shirts, black tie, black jacket, black trousers and black ankle boots will continue to be worn on formal occasions and on other occasions as directed by the Supervising Officer Headgear will consist of a flat cap for male officers or a bowler hat for female officers, to be worn for day to day routine patrol. A ski cap may be issued and worn when engaged in training duties or operational duties such as tracking and searching All Alliance Dogs Team Handlers will wear body armour in accordance with their individual Force policy Both Devon and Cornwall, and Dorset forces are signatories to the regional Uniform Dress Policy, and all officers will refer to that document. 11

12 3.12 Kennelling of Police Dogs in Private kennels () Dog Handlers will be reimbursed for private kennelling costs for up to the number of annual leave days they are entitled to, to a maximum of 30 days per year (which may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances, and will require authorisation by the handlers dog Sergeant) Any private kennels used for this purpose will only be approved for use upon the satisfactory completion of a suitability assessment by the Head of Profession (Dogs). A list of approved private kennels will be maintained by the Dog Training School and updated on a dynamic basis The number of days taken by officers will be recorded by finance Welfare of injured or sick dogs () When a police dog is injured or unwell and recuperating in the care of its handler, the officer will be given duty time to care for the dog having received direction from an Alliance Dogs Team Sergeant. The advice of the veterinary practitioner will determine the time needed to provide necessary and appropriate care for the dog by the officer 3.14 Kennel Hour (KH) () Dog Handlers are allowed one hour of their duty time to care for their dog during their working day. This is known nationally as the kennel hour. This should be taken at the start of the shift but can be moved with the authorisation of the Alliance Dogs Team Sgt When a Dog Handler takes annual leave and continues to care for their police dog whilst on that leave, they are entitled to that one hour of kennel duty which must not be deducted from their annual leave entitlement The handler will not be entitled to a KH on any day that the police dog is not in their personal care Officers on earlies will take their KH at the beginning of their shift, meaning that they will be booked on, with Airwave on from 0800 until the end of their shift Late turn officers will take their KH at the beginning or end of their shift but will ensure there is no gap between them and either the early or the night shift officer depending at which end of the day the KH is taken The night shift officer will take their KH between 0600 and 0700, with the ability to book off at 0600 and turn off their airwave If a dog is required between 0600 and 0800 then the early turn dog will be called to duty, as a recall to duty (no on call payment will be paid as the demand profile doesn t warrant officers to be placed on call ) Officers will need to ensure that their personal contact details are available via force systems and that phones are switched on, in event of a call out. 12

13 3.15 Kennelling of Police Dogs at home () All handlers (or prospective handlers) will declare that they have suitable space for the erection of kennels within the gardens at their homes in which to house dogs. They will also consent to visits being made by Alliance Dog Team supervisors to assess and ensure the safety of these facilities (Risk assessment of their house, garden and home security required) In the event that the criteria at are fulfilled, all Dog Handlers will be supplied with an appropriately sized, purpose built dog kennel which will be located at their home address. This may be a single or double kennel based on the projected needs of the handler and the Alliance Dogs Team. This should be installed professionally at a cost to the service The responsibility for caring for the dog should not be delegated to any person other than a dog handler, or member of staff employed by the Police to provide such care. Should a dog handler not be in a position to exercise or care for the police dog personally, then arrangements should be made for the dog to be kennelled The police dog will, at all times, other than when the dog is under the personal control of the handler, be kept in the police dog kennel provided. Police dogs should not be allowed to roam freely in an officer s home or garden unsupervised by the handler Access to police dogs at the Dog Handlers property shall be allowed to any representative of the Alliance Dogs Team, at any reasonable time, to ensure the welfare of the dog(s) The care of the police dog(s) at home on a day-to-day basis is the sole responsibility of the Dog Handler When a Dog Handler is: Sick, and likely to be so for in excess of three weeks, or, Placed on restricted duty for medical reasons, or, Is pregnant and/or takes maternity leave, and as a result is unable to fully cater for the welfare needs of the dog then it may be allocated to an alternative handler. The dog handler in these cases should be consulted with prior to any decision being made, however, the decision of the head of profession is final Where applies, the handler may make a written request to the Head of Profession for the dog to be retained at home and walked by an approved family member. In order to ensure that the health and safety implications of using untrained staff are taken into account, all such requests must be accompanied by the appropriate risk assessment. The Head of Profession s decision on this matter will be final Any change in personal circumstances, and all incidents involving the police dog, must be reported by the handler. A revised risk assessment may be required. The Head of Profession will reconsider approval if necessary If the officer is pregnant and due to the risk assessment her dog(s) are removed from her then she will continue to receive the requisite dog handler s allowance. 13

14 3.16 Public Relations Work () The use of Police Dogs for Public Relations (PR) Events generates high levels of public interest, and can deliver key messages regarding dog safety, animal welfare and responsible dog ownership All requests for Police Dog attendance at PR Events must go through an Alliance Dogs Team Sergeant, who will nominate the attending Dog Handlers Although PR Events are a valuable part of Police Dog business, operational resilience will always take precedence. Therefore any agreement to attend must have the proviso that it may be cancelled at short notice All Dog Handlers undertaking these PR Events must be contactable and remain deployable throughout the period of the public relations work Banned Breeds and Dangerous Dogs () The Alliance Dogs Team has a number of Dog Legislation Officers (DLO) who are able to provide advice and guidance in relation to Banned Breeds, defined by S.1 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and dangerous dogs in general. DLO s do not take on ownership of an investigation but provide case support, evidence review and direction These officers are able to identify and provide support in relation status dogs, specifically Pitbull type dogs. A list of these officers is retained by each Force Control Room The Alliance Dogs Team also have the capability to deal with potentially dangerous dogs. (Those displaying severe aggression but not necessarily defined by S.1) This may be spontaneous incident reported to a Control Room or as a contingency whilst executing a search warrant where the presence of a dangerous dog is likely to frustrate or hinder a search Requests to deal with a potentially dangerous dog for a planned event will be dealt with by contacting an Alliance Dogs Team DLO or Sergeant, whilst a request for a spontaneous incident should be made by contacting any patrolling Dog Handler The Alliance Dogs Team Handlers do not have the capability or capacity to act in place of the Local Authority Dog Warden. However, where members of the public are at risk of injury, Dog Handlers will assist in containing and securing potentially dangerous dogs wherever possible In the event of a request to remove a dog from a specific location, the Local Policing team will arrange kennelling and an appropriate vehicle in which to transport the dangerous dog. Kennelling costs of Banned Breed and Dangerous dogs, seized by Alliance Dogs Team handlers remain the responsibility of the BCU where the dog was seized The Alliance Dogs Team will be responsible for the monitoring of Banned Breed and Dangerous dogs seized by Alliance Dogs Team officers or officers from Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police. BCU staff will still be responsible for monitoring of dogs seized for any other reason. It is the responsibility of BCU officers to notify the Alliance Dogs Team of any banned breed or dangerous dog that they have seized. Financial responsibility for the kennelling cost of these dogs remains the responsibility of the BCU. 14

15 The Alliance Dogs Team Sergeants, with the assistance of the DLO s will, on an annual basis, ensure that privately owned kennels, used by the Alliance Dogs Team, are correctly licensed by the local council Dog Attacks on Assistance Dogs () The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into force in May It amended the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to include a dog attack on an assistance dog within the Act. Attacks on assistance dogs are considered as serious as attacks on people owing to the psychological effects on the victim (the handler or owner). Where such an attack occurs the victim of the crime will be treated as a vulnerable victim in line with the National Victims Code of Practice. This procedure is to ensure such victims receive the enhanced level of care dictated by that code When notified of a crime relating to an attack on an assistance dog Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police will record the victim of the crime as vulnerable in line with the National Victims code of practice (VCOP). This will ensure that the victim receives an enhanced level of care, in terms of contact and updates, and that the investigation is tailored around the specific victim s needs A named and contactable officer in charge (OIC) of the case will be assigned and a crime or incident number will be allocated. The OIC will always be supported by a DLO who will ensure that the investigation is timely, effective, and maximises all opportunities to bring an offender to justice (where appropriate). It is the responsibility of the OIC to contact the relevant DLO for their area. If the crime is classified as a hate crime then the officer in the case will also be supported by an officer who is a specialist in hate crime investigation. We will always offer to take a victim personal statement in order that the full impact on the victim can be assessed. We will assess dog on assistance dog attacks in the context of the impact on the assistance dog owner/handler, using whatever legislation is appropriate to the circumstances Details of Dogs Legislation Officers will be readily available via the Force Control Room We will ensure that the victim is supported, both in terms of being a victim of crime, but additionally by persons qualified to give specialist support around being a victim of a hate or disability crime. With the consent of the victim, we will work closely with assistance dog service delivery managers to ensure the investigation opportunities are maximised and the path back to normality after being a victim of crime is as smooth as possible in terms of support and help offered Dog Procurement () The Alliance Dogs Team Inspector (Head of Profession) is ultimately responsible for the procurement of all Police Dogs, however the actual sourcing of suitable dogs may be devolved to other Alliance Dogs Team members Succession planning and the suitability of individual Dog Handlers to receive a dog at an appropriate level of training will be discussed at the monthly Dog Supervisors Meeting Potential Police Dogs will be procured from a varied number of sources to minimise the risk of licencing failure or medical problems. 15

16 The Alliance Dogs Team Training Manager, Inspector, Puppy Manager and Sergeants will closely liaise with regard to any Dog Teams to ensure compatibility. Indications that the Dog Team is not working at an early stage will be discussed as to whether a different partnership should be considered No dogs will be procured without authority from the Alliance Dogs Team Inspector The Training Manager and Inspector must be informed of the intention to bring any dog into police possession on assessment (for any period of time) All dogs will retain their original given name unless this is unsuitable. Any change must be approved by the Dogs Team Inspector Retirement of Police Dogs () No dogs will be retired without the authority of the Alliances Dogs Team Inspector unless urgent medical circumstances dictate a decision be made immediately at which point the Training Manager or Duty Dog Sergeant must be liaised with Retirements will be discussed at the monthly Alliance Dogs Team Supervisors meeting to ensure there are plans in place to procure new dogs as part of ongoing succession planning. These projected retirements will form part of the projected annual training plan and breeding programme When a police dog retirement is approved, the current Dog Handler will be given the first option to have the dog retired to them, unless there is rationale to suggest that this would not be suitable If the handler does not want to have the dog retired to them, a Sergeant will assume responsibility for re-homing the dog with a suitable person On retirement and re-homing, the new owner must complete and sign a disclaimer, accepting ownership and liability for the dog including any subsequent costs. 16

17 4.0 Consultation and Authorisation 4.1 Consultation Version No: Name Signature Date 1.0 Chief Inspector, Dog Unit 03/05/ Head of Learning and Workforce Development Operational Training Manager 10/02/ /02/ Authorisation of this Version Version No: 1.0 Name Signature Date Prepared: Policy Officer 20/06/17 Quality assured: Policy Officer 03/08/17 Authorised: Head of Alliance Operations 19/06/17 Approved: Chief Inspector, Dog Unit 03/05/17 5 Version Control 5.1 Review Date of next scheduled review Date: August Version History Version Date Reason for Change Created / Amended by /08/2017 Initial Document Policy Officer 5.3 Document History Present Portfolio Holder Head of Alliance Operations 17

18 Present Document Owner Alliance Operations Department Present Owning Department Alliance Operations Department Details only required for version 1.0 and any major amendment ie 2.0 or 3.0: Name of Board: Date Approved: Chief Officer Approving: 18