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Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Regional Collaboration
Grade - Surrey Police Grade G / Sussex Police Grade 10
Status - Full Time and Part Time Available
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £33,128 - £39,149 / Sussex Police £34,329 - £37,692
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time. 

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

Instruct students (police and other organisations) attending continuation training and both initial and refresher dog courses in Explosives or GP Dogs, including classroom lectures and presentations, and ‘hands on’ dog training within the work environment.

  • Teach students the recognised search systems currently employed by all UK police dog sections. To lecture on current trends used by terrorists or the criminal fraternity, and to keep students abreast of the changes in demands to meet standards for NPCC dog instruction.
  • Train and assess the suitability of both dogs and handlers and pass and fail as necessary. This is to include visiting other sites, outside of the Dog School, to carry out these assessments.
  • Liaise with all agencies at present engaged within the detection of explosive/drugs etc., in order to maintain an up to date assessment of current trends.
  • Maintain a register of all venues of use by course, students, and dogs, and where necessary increase the number in order to ensure the variety and scope of dog training.
  • Prepare full written reports on students attending the dog school.
  • Take into his/her home address dogs purchased or offered as potential police dogs in order to assess their viability for the task. If suitable to care and train the dog in order to hand it over to a suitable student.
  • Keep abreast of current legislation appertaining to the carriage, keeping and use of substances used in dog training.
  • Be responsible for the care of substances in his/her charge whilst training, and maintain the necessary registers of such substances.
  • Carry out full requirements of a GP instructor.

◦To carry out any other tasks relating to the role of Police Dog Instructor, as requested by the Dog School Senior Instructor or Dog Section Inspector/Dog School Manager.

Skills & Experience

It is essential that the post holder has:-

  • The ACPO / NPCC Explosive Search Dog Instructor course certificate and has experience in the training and deployment of specialist search dogs or a GP instructors NPCC certificate.
  • A flexible approach, and be prepared to work long and unsociable hours if required.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member and make positive contributions to activities within a team environment.
  • An enquiring mind and a high level of interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • A methodical approach to work with the ability to assimilate, retain and apply all info and provide effective responses.
  • The ability to work to a high professional standard with little or no immediate supervision.
  • The ability to operate computer based systems and/or the willingness to undertake training to become proficient in Surrey Police systems.
  • To have respect for race and diversity by having an awareness of equality and diversity issues in the working environment
  • Hold a clean full UK driving license and be able to pass a Police authorisation course to drive the class of vehicles used by the Dog School
  • The ACPO / NPCC General Purpose or Explosive Search Dog Certificate, Police Dog Instructor course Certificate and Ideally a drug search Certificate.

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly.  You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes.  Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference.  This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

  • vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
  • vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
  • if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.