FOI 1001-2023 / Oct 2023 / Dog handlers
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 1001-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 30th October 2023 as follows:
1 - How many female police dog handlers have been pregnant or off on maternity leave in the last 10 calendar years?
1a - Of those how many were required to hand over their dog whether this be general-purpose or specialist to another handler to be re handled?
1b - Of those how many were able to continue to work their dog once they came back to work?
2 - What is Warwickshire police's policy in regards to the removal or rehandling of police dogs when a female dog handler is pregnant or on maternity leave? Please can I be sent a copy of the policy.
Q1 response: Zero
Q1a & Q1b response: Not applicable
Q2 response: Warwickshire Police do not hold a specific policy in relation to the removal or rehandling of police dogs when a female dog handler is pregnant or on maternity leave. However, this is covered within the ‘Deployment of Police Dogs’ Procedure and the relevant section is set out below:
3.16 Long Term Sickness, Restricted Duty and Maternity Leave
When a police dog handler is:
- Sick, and likely to be so for in excess of two weeks, or,
- Placed on restricted duty for medical reasons, or,
- Is pregnant and/or takes maternity leave,
- And as a result is therefore unable to walk their own police dog, special arrangements will apply.
The default position will require that the handler’s police dog(s) be brought into the central kennel facility. In circumstances where the period is likely to be four weeks or more, then the police dog may be re-handled. However, the handler may make a written request to the Nominated Officer 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 completed by the officer’s supervisor. Approval of these requests will be subject to an assessment that the dog in question can be safely handled in this manner.
Any change in personal circumstances, and all incidents involving the police dog, must be reported by the handler to their respective supervisor. A revised risk assessment may be required. The Nominated Officer will reconsider approval if necessary.
If the officer is pregnant and due to the risk assessment their dog(s) are removed from them then they will continue to receive the requisite dog handler’s allowance.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB