Are you passionate about developing high-performing police dog teams and maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, training, and operational readiness?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Police Dog Instructor within Matrix Operations. This role is at the heart of the development, training, assessment, and welfare of Merseyside Police’s operational police dogs and handlers, ensuring they remain prepared to protect communities and support policing operations across the force.
About the Role
As a Police Dog Instructor, you will be responsible for delivering and coordinating both initial and ongoing training for police dogs, handlers, trainers, and dog teams. You will play a pivotal role in developing operational capability, identifying training needs, assessing performance, and ensuring compliance with national standards.
Working within Merseyside Police’s accredited Police Dog Training School, you will provide specialist instruction, advice, and guidance while supporting the continued professional development of handlers and the welfare of police dogs throughout their careers.
This is a rewarding and varied role that combines practical instruction, operational expertise, stakeholder engagement, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in police dog training.
Key Responsibilities
You will:
- Deliver training and assessment programmes to maintain operational readiness of police dogs and handlers.
- Provide specialist advice and tactical guidance to frontline officers and police dog teams.
- Assess and manage risks associated with training activities, ensuring safe and effective learning environments.
- Monitor performance and identify opportunities to enhance the capabilities of individual handlers, dogs, and teams.
- Develop strong working relationships with colleagues, partner agencies, veterinary providers, breeders, and other stakeholders.
- Promote the value and professionalism of police dog operations across the force and wider community.
- Support the welfare of police dogs and handlers in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and national policing standards.
- Deliver training across relevant National Police Dog Unit curricula and assessment modules.
- Support the Puppy and Young Dog Development Programme, including the development of young and trainee dogs where required.
- Contribute to debriefing, learning, continuous improvement, and specialist development programmes.
What We’re Looking For
The successful candidate will possess:
Essential Requirements
- Current NPCC Dog Instructor qualification.
- Current National Police Dog Specialism qualification or willingness to undertake specialist training as required.
- TEP or Level 4 CERT qualification (including Assessment Module 5 or TAQA).
- Current Dog First Aid qualification.
- Relevant health and safety and risk assessment training.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver training, presentations, reports, and briefings.
- Competence in the use of force ICT systems relevant to the role.
- Ability to make sound operational decisions independently and justify those decisions appropriately.
- Basic Police Driving Classification and C1 licence entitlement, or willingness to obtain C1 as required.
Desirable Qualifications
- NPCC Detection Dog Instructor Certificate.
- NPCC Firearms Support Dog Instructor Certificate.
- NCTAS: Understanding of NCTAS and implications to dog training.
Dog Legislation Officer Qualified
Knowledge and Experience
You will have:
- Extensive knowledge of police dog training methodologies and operational deployment requirements.
- An understanding of animal welfare legislation, animal-related offences, and health and safety requirements.
- Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- The ability to inspire confidence, build professional relationships, and support continuous improvement.
- A commitment to maintaining professional standards, personal development, and operational excellence.
Working Environment
The Police Dog Unit forms part of the Matrix model, providing specialist support and operational capability across Merseyside Police. The unit is an accredited Police Dog Training School responsible for training and licensing operational police dogs, handlers, and instructors.
You will work closely with:
- Dog Training Sergeants
- Matrix Dog Inspector
- Police Dog Handlers
- Kennel Providers
- Veterinary Care Providers
- Partner Police Forces
- Animal Welfare Agencies
- Dog Breeders and associated specialists
The Challenges
This role requires an individual who can:
- Meet the diverse training and welfare needs of police dogs and handlers.
- Maintain professional and operational standards in a highly specialised environment.
- Build and sustain effective partnerships with training venues, breeders, welfare providers, and policing partners.
- Balance operational demands with the ongoing development of dog teams and instructors.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future capability of Merseyside Police Dog Unit. You will directly influence the training, welfare, and operational effectiveness of police dogs and handlers while contributing to public safety and the prevention and detection of crime across Merseyside.
If you are an experienced and motivated police dog professional with a passion for developing people and working dogs to the highest standards, we would welcome your application.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates who meet the essential criteria outlined above.
Please ensure you have approval from your Ch Supt/BCU Commander/Head of Department before applying
Please provide your 1000 word evidence based on the JDQ and CVF below
Click here for the JDQ
Click here for the CVF
