SOUTH Yorkshire Police has confirmed that its dog section will be cut by nearly a third but has strongly denied that any healthy dogs will be put down as a result.<\/p>\n
The number of dog handler posts will be reduced by 11, from 36 to 25, and a similar number of dogs will no longer be needed. Up to seven officers will be redeployed into other frontline roles, while a number of posts will be lost through natural retirement.<\/p>\n
This will leave South Yorkshire with a similar sized dog section as neighbouring forces such as West Yorkshire and Humberside.<\/p>\n
The force has insisted that comments posted on social media sites suggesting that some of the police dogs will be put down are \u201ccompletely untrue\u201d. A spokesman added: \u201cThe force would never destroy a healthy dog. Equally, the force has not asked officers to return their dogs. In some cases, the officers will be invited to keep their dogs. In other cases, their dogs may be reallocated to other police forces.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reduction is being made as part of the wider programme of change taking place to ensure the force continues to provide \u201cthe best possible public service but within a significantly reduced budget\u201d, according to a statement from South Yorkshire Police.<\/p>\n
The force spokesman added that the police dogs and their handlers provide \u201ca range of important roles\u201d in helping to keep the public safe and while the size of the unit will be reduced, it will \u201ccontinue to perform a valuable role for the public\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cEvery police force is facing very significant challenges in operating with millions of pounds less every year but in a way that performance is enhanced and the service provided to the public continues to be of the highest standard.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis requires careful thought about how best to provide services in the coming years, and the changes to the dog section are one part of a major programme of restructure and redesign of service delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cPolice dogs and their handlers are a vital part of the so called policing frontline – they are a team at work and at home and become part of an officer\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a tremendous support to other frontline officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is another blow to the safety of our communities due to budget cuts.\u201d<\/p>\n