Since 1981, the service has been reaping the benefits of four-legged colleagues working alongside police officers. In many situations, a nose is the most effective tool for the job, especially at night or when visibility is reduced. Dogs are used primarily to search for offenders who have run off, find missing people and locate drugs or explosives. Perhaps the most common perception of a police dog is the German Shepherd. These are, indeed, the most popular General Purpose dogs as used by the Wandsworth Parks Police (and most police forces), as they not only have the combination of size, controllable aggression, stamina and will to work, but they also accept training willingly. We will also consider other breeds, such as Bouvier, Malinois and Giant Schnauzer, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. General Purpose Dogs have an average working life of seven years. Most dogs are acquired at between nine months and 18 months of age and are either purchased or donated by members of the public. Every dog selected for the service must be physically fit, fearless and alert. Having the right temperament for the job is also an essential qualification, along with a strong play instinct. The Service has instigated a puppy development scheme in order to provide a planned supply of young dogs for training. In this scheme, each dog begins its career with the service at about eight weeks old when it is assigned to a dog handler. The puppy is socialised and conditioned during its formative months and regularly assessed to ensure that it is developing the skills needed for future police work. Initial training begins at approximately 12 months. The nationally accredited course for both dogs and their handlers lasts for several weeks. All training is reward-based, with the emphasis being on treating all exercises as an enjoyable game for the dogs. When a dog becomes operational, the same kind of techniques are employed whilst on the job. Handlers' use a 'trigger' such as a hand signal or a voice command to let the dog know it's time to work and also have set actions which assist the dog whilst searching properties etc. At the Wandsworth Parks Police Headquarters, we are always willing to meet with the public, and are open to arranged visits to allow you to meet the dogs, and their handlers and trainers. If you would like to find out more, please contact me. I hope you enjoy finding out more about Wandsworth Parks Police Dog Section. This website provides a fascinating insight into front-line policing and will be regularly updated. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the trainers, handlers and their four-legged partners. Stephen Biggs
Each dog represents an investment and has been very carefully chosen, evaluated and trained. Wandsworth Parks Police dogs are highly trained in obedience, agility, searching for persons and objects, crowd control, criminal work and the following of human scent along the ground, which is called tracking. The dogs are invaluable for use in searching woodland, restricted and overgrown areas, to find items of lost property or even a child, searching buildings, especially by night following alarm calls and the detention of armed, violent or fleeing suspects. Dog teams on patrol complement our uniformed constables in acting as a deterrent to potential offenders and are there to make sure that visitors can relax and enjoy Wandsworth's parks and open spaces in peace. The psychological effect on potential offenders of a dog and handler would in many cases, deter an offence being committed Living and working together the police dog and handler form a closely bonded team able to rely on each other in dangerous situations. With an acute sense of smell and the ability to get into spaces inaccessible to officers, police dogs are able to carry out tasks that would be both time-consuming and dangerous for officers. There is no doubt that they play a key role in the continuing fight against crime, whether as a deterrent on foot patrol, or searching for a lost child. Our approach to training - We believe that obedience is the cornerstone of future success in dog training. Our training is Totally Praise and Reward based, which has been found to bring out the natural abilities of the dog while strengthening the teamwork between dog and handler. Dog surgery - The Dog Section currently runs dog surgeries for pet owners. The scheme, which is aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership, allows pet owners with problems and queries about their four legged friends to attend surgeries where Parks Police Dog handlers can offer practical advice on how to tackle the problem. Surgeries are available by appointment only. Our dog handlers are highly skilled in dog training techniques and one handler has a qualification in dog psychology.
Location General purpose Police dogs The Police Dog Training Unit has for many years trained other local authority dogs and handlers for general patrol duties. As their knowledge and expertise grew they enhanced their position by receiving specialist courses and becoming 'Dog Trainers' in their own right. The Police dog training unit has in the past also trained 'drugs search dogs.'
Use of Police dogs Acquisition and assessment of dogs Our Training Unit currently manages a 'Puppy Scheme' and we presently have two pups in this scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide operational dog handlers with quality animals, which can be socialised and trained prior to being placed on a basic course, thus reducing the number of weeks, required on basic courses. Each 'Puppy Officer' is provided with a 'Puppy Profile' and training guidance notes. The scheme provides regular monitoring and thus greater control of how prospective police dogs and bitches are brought up, socialised and environmentally trained. The scheme also provides puppy assessment days on a monthly basis. At 10 months of age, pups are brought in for a one week overall assessment course which will include, tracking, searching and bite work. This will invariably be the stage in the young dogs life when it's potential or otherwise is decided and if it is to progress to commencement on a course. At the training unit we take a considerable amount of time and care to explain the nature and circumstances, which a donated dog will experience if it is deemed suitable to be trained as a police dog. When a gift dog is offered to the Police, an experienced trainer or dog handler will visit the donor's home and carry out a preliminary assessment of the animal. If initial assessment indicates potential, then the dog is brought to our Headquarters and housed with the appropriate dog handler where it is kept for approximately one week during which time it will undergo veterinary inspection and be kept under the watchful eye of the dog handler. If the dog is found to be sound it is then fully evaluated through a formal assessment, which examines all the required characteristics, which will ensure that the animal is suitable to be trained as a police dog. Highly skilled training staff in a woodland area set aside specifically for the appraisal carries out the formal assessment, which takes approximately 1 hour. There are a number of manual and mechanical devices set up in fixed locations, which test such areas as ability to co-ordinate, willingness to defend, dominance and ability to concentrate.
The training provides many and varied locations which offer excellent practical training facilities particularly in the specialist field. Dog teams currently receive 'Monthly Training' one day each month and also attend a two week 'Refresher Course annually.' General Purpose Police dogs are required to be licensed annually, this is carried out over a 2 day assessment period, dogs which do not pass licensing are not permitted to be deployed operationally until such time as they meet all competencies contained within the Parks Police licensing schedule. Dog handlers also carry out a mandatory dog legislation course every year, covering subjects such as the Dangerous Dogs Act and Human Rights Policy. All dog handlers, whether experienced or novices undergo basic courses when allocated a new dog. The duration of basic courses is as follows: The only exception to the duration of a basic course is where a dog has progressed through the 'Puppy Scheme' where the benefits of early training can mean a reduction of a basic course time by up to 4 weeks or more. The dog handler Dog handlers are experienced officers who go through a tough selection process before becoming part of the team. Normally officers need to have served over three years with the service before they can apply to work within the dog section. The handlers are not the only ones who have to attain constant high standards; the dogs also have to pass an annual assessment which is based on a nationally agreed police dog standard to ensure they are safe and effective and can confidently carry out the tasks expected of them. Being a police dog handler is a long-term commitment. A police dog lives with its handler both throughout its working life and into retirement. Dog handlers work on either a day, late or night shift and can be called to any incident where a dog could be a valuable asset and are responsible for the arrest of thousands of criminals every year.
Deployment Police dogs and handlers play a vital part in today's operational policing role. Often dog handlers find themselves interacting with their local community by providing dog displays at schools and youth clubs. They also provide a platform for work experience students, offering potential school leavers an insight into the life of a working police dog and handler. Whilst showing the more attractive elements of a career as a working dog handler, emphasis is also placed on the importance of the operational use to which police dogs are put. Many operational successes recorded each year were dogs, which have been used to search for and track criminals or recover lost or stolen property. Public order also plays an important role in the working life of a police dog when deployed at football matches, public meetings or contentious parades.
Dog welfare The section focuses on key areas such as, the welfare and treatment of police dogs, training and operational policies, administration and equipment, quality assurance and monitoring, partnerships with other organisations and ensuring professionalism in training. Public relations In March every year the Kennel club of Great Britain organises Crufts Dog show. Police dogs and their handlers are always well represented during the four days of the show and Members of the Public can meet handlers and dogs and share experiences about their common interests. In addition Wandsworth Parks Police officers give demonstrations of their work in a ring, which is always hugely popular and very well supported.
We can offer courses tailored to suit the needs of individual police services; agencies or organisations and staff are happy to offer advice and guidance on a range of dog training or related matters. Our training is based on the National Police Dog Assessment Model as recommended by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Police Dog Working Group. Our trainer is an ACPO accredited instructor. Inspector Stephen Biggs Telephone Number: - 020 8871 7532 John Bannerman Tel: 020 8871 7131 |
Wandsworth Parks Police - Dog Section
Introduction by Stephen Biggs - Head of Dog Section
Operational Police dogs
Our history
Training
Working trials
Dog training services