Job Description

Dog Handler

Constable - Dog Handler

Matrix Operations | Merseyside Police

Are you a highly motivated police officer who thrives on challenge, problem solving and operational policing? Do you have the commitment, resilience and dedication required to work alongside a police dog as part of one of the most visible and effective operational resources within policing?

Merseyside Police is seeking exceptional officers to join our Dog Section as Police Dog Handlers. This is a unique opportunity to develop specialist skills while supporting frontline policing, protecting communities and helping to tackle crime and disorder across Merseyside.

About the Role

As a Dog Handler, you will provide a 24-hour support service across the force area, working with a highly trained police dog to prevent and detect crime, locate offenders, vulnerable missing persons and property, support public order operations and enforce dangerous dog legislation.

Dog Handlers play a critical role in operational policing, responding to incidents across Merseyside and supporting specialist operations, major investigations, neighbourhood policing and force priorities.

You will work independently and as part of a highly skilled team, making sound operational decisions while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, professionalism and public service.

What You'll Be Doing

Key responsibilities include:

• Deploying police dogs operationally to support crime prevention, detection and public safety.
• Conducting searches for offenders, missing persons, evidence and property.
• Supporting operations targeting organised crime, gang activity and serious violence.
• Responding to incidents involving dangerous dogs and enforcing relevant legislation.
• Providing visible reassurance patrols and supporting public order and major event policing.
• Maintaining and developing police dog handling skills through ongoing training and licensing.
• Promoting understanding of police dog capabilities among officers, partners and local communities.
• Contributing intelligence to support force priorities and operational activity.
• Providing high standards of welfare, care and management for police dogs both on and off duty.

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong operational policing experience and sound professional judgement.
• The ability to remain calm and make effective decisions in challenging situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A high degree of self-motivation, resilience and personal responsibility.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a close-knit team environment.
• A commitment to delivering exceptional service to communities and colleagues.
• Flexibility to meet operational demands and changing priorities.
• A genuine passion for animal welfare and working with police dogs.

Applicants must be able to:

• Meet the required fitness standards for the role.
• Pass an annual occupational medical assessment.
• Hold the appropriate police driving qualification or be willing to achieve and maintain it.
• Maintain a suitable home environment for the care and housing of a police dog.
• Be willing to work a variable shift pattern in line with operational requirements.

Training and Development

Successful candidates will undertake an intensive development programme, including:

• Initial placement within the Kennels environment.
• A comprehensive 13-week Dog Handler Training Course.
• Ongoing mentoring and operational support.
• Continuous professional development and annual licensing assessments.
• Opportunities to progress into specialist disciplines, including:
• Firearms support dogs
• Drugs detection dogs
• Cash detection dogs
• Explosive detection dogs
• Cadaver dogs
• Passive drugs detection dogs
• Conflict resolution dogs

Why Become a Dog Handler?

This is more than a specialist policing role. It is an opportunity to form a unique operational partnership with a police dog while making a tangible difference to public safety every day.

You'll gain:

• Specialist operational skills.
• Opportunities for advanced training and accreditation.
• The chance to support some of the force's most complex and challenging operations.
• A rewarding and varied career path within a highly respected policing discipline.
• The experience of working with one of policing's most effective operational assets.

Important Information

Police dogs live with their handlers and become part of everyday life. Handlers are responsible for their dog's welfare, training and care throughout their service. The commitment required extends beyond normal working hours and requires support from those within your household.

This is a demanding but highly rewarding role requiring commitment, professionalism and a genuine dedication to both policing and animal welfare.

Ready for the Challenge?

If you are looking for a unique and rewarding specialist policing role where no two days are the same, we want to hear from you.

Become part of Merseyside Police Dog Section and help keep our communities safe.

Click here for the JDQ

Click here for the CVF