‘Short sighted and a devastating blow for policing’ – that’s the words of Hampshire Police Federation’s Chairman, John Apter, on the news that the green light has been given to slash the number of dog handlers across Hampshire and the Thames Valley.
Throughout the shared Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit there are currently 53 dog handlers and 6 sergeants, however, that number is to be cut to just 40 handlers and 4 sergeants – a reduction of 15. For Hampshire specifically there will be 18 handlers and 4 sergeants.
The plans to reduce the size of the team by a quarter (just over 25%) came to light earlier this year alongside the news that the Force Support Unit was to be disbanded. This has now taken place with the loss of 27 officers. The Roads Policing Unit is also losing 20 officers – although the Isle of Wight has already experienced the loss of it’s Roads Policing Unit in Shanklin.
It remains unclear at this stage how the Isle of Wight will be affected by the cuts to dog handlers as further details and timelines are yet to be announced.
Taking to Twitter, John Apter has said:
“I have fought hard for our handlers and their PD’s, explaining the risk in cutting them and trying to get people to understand the value of what HantsTVPolDogs bring to policing. Sadly its not about the value, its all about cost.
“Wrong decision and one we will live to regret”.
Simon Hayes, the former Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire has said:
“I believe that cutting the dog section is another @HantsPCC budget mistake that will in time need to be reversed.
“Time and time again dogs have shown their worth. Breeding programmes and training take time, so there are challenging times ahead”.
