These two dogs and their handlers were subsequently trained at the Surrey Constabulary Dog Training School, “Mount Browne”, prior to patrolling the streets of Hampshire.
The unit is based at Netley, with dogs and handlers working at OCUs across the county, providing cover 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The unit is headed by an inspector who leads a team of sergeants and police constables, plus police staff who work as trainers, and an office manager.
The Search Support Unit forms a vital part of the DSU, with 3 constables providing a service to colleagues across the Force in the areas of search co-ordination, body recovery, and in specialist search areas such as collapsed structures and explosive detection.
The county is divided into three areas for the purposes of the Dog Support Unit, Western, Eastern and the Isle of Wight. At present, each of the mainland areas has 1 sergeant and 12 constables, and the Isle of Wight has 3 constables. Although the officers are assigned to specific areas, they can, should the need arise, be deployed to anywhere within the County.
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