Conditions of Employment
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Police Award
23. DOG HANDLERS
23.1 Definitions and Authority over other Clauses
23.1.1 For the purposes of this clause the following definition shall apply:
'Member' means a person permanently or temporarily appointed under the provision of the Police Service Act 2003 in the Tasmania Police Service and who is appointed as a Dog Handler after successfully completing the required training.
23.1.2 Where inconsistent this clause prevails over:-
(a) Availability and Standby, clause 14.3; and
(b) Overtime during non work periods to care for the dog,clause 15.
23.2. Dog Handlers Allowance
23.2.1 Members who are Dog Handlers shall be paid an allowance of $8,591 pa.
23.2.2 The allowance is payable in recognition of:-
(a) Availability and/or Standby rostered and required by the Commissioner to ensure coverage;
(b) Requirement to train, feed, clean and care for their dog(s) and kennel area on any non-work day;
(c) Requirement to care for their dog(s) outside normal rostered hours;
(d) Disturbance of leisure;
(e) Speciality skill and training required for dog(s) handlers.
23.2.3 The allowance will be adjusted in line with Award/Agreement Wage increases that occur from time to time to the base salary for police constables.
23.3 Leave
23.3.1 Recreation Leave will be programmed in advance for the following calendar year by November.
23.3.2 Dog Handlers will provide six (6) months notice of an intention to take leave in excess of two weeks at a time.
23.3.3 In determining the programmed leave, consultation will occur between the Commander and two (2) dog handlers to:-
(a) Ensure different dates are programmed;
(b) Preferably allocate leave periods in two 2 week blocks; and
(c) Establish dog care arrangements during the leave periods beyond two (2) weeks which are agreed between all parties.
23.3.4 Dog care arrangements during leave will be negotiated between the Commander and Dog Handlers for each period of leave having regard to:
(a) An agreement is required if a Dog Handler is made responsible for the care (feeding, cleaning, caring etc) for a second dog for a period of time greater than two weeks.
(b) The responsibilities for the care of a second dog will be taken into consideration when allocation of duties is made during this period.
(c) A Dog Handler would normally be available to care for the dog whilst of recreation leave; however, there is no compulsion to do so for extended leave.
(d) If the Dog Handler is unable to care for the dog during leave, alternative arrangements are to be made.
23.4 General
23.4.1 All food, veterinary and costs associated with the care of and accommodation for the dogs will be met by the Department.
23.4.2 Dog Handlers start work and finish work from home when in care of the dog and/or vehicle.
23.4.3 Unless special circumstances exist, the Dog Handler will train and feed the dog during normal rostered hours.
23.4.4 Protective clothing will be provided when appropriate and the uniform is to be worn in accordance with the current uniform policy.
23.4.5 The availability of the dogs for duty will be on a week on week off basis except during leave periods of the other dog trainer.
23.4.6 The annual licence fee for a Shot-firer's Certificate will be at Department expense.
23.4.7 Appropriate accommodation and housing for the dogs out of area will be provided by the Department at Hobart and Launceston.
23.4.8 A portable kennel and cage facility will be provided by the Department at the residence of each Dog Handler. The members residence must also be assessed as being suitable to accommodate the dogs prior to selection.
23.4.9 An appropriately equipped vehicle will be supplied to each Dog Handler with the capacity to transport two (2) dogs and enable safe storage of their weapon and accouchements.
23.4.10 Dogs may not be required every day. Where this occurs the dogs are to be cared for appropriately by the member.
23.5 Review and Tenure
23.5.1 Regular re-views will be undertaken by suitably qualified persons to assess the performance and suitability of the dog and Dog Handler.
23.5.2 There is an expectation that the tenure for a Dog Handler will be for at least 7 years.
23.5.3 Consideration will be given to transfer after 5 years.
23.5.4 Consideration will be given to a Dog Handler who requests a transfer within 5 years of appointment of becoming a Dog Handler who demonstrates exceptional circumstances which is directly related to a request for transfer.
23.5.5 In any event six months notice will normally be provided, wherever possible, by the Dog Handler to transfer or cease duty, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner of Police.
23.1 Definitions and Authority over other Clauses
23.1.1 For the purposes of this clause the following definition shall apply:
'Member' means a person permanently or temporarily appointed under the provision of the Police Service Act 2003 in the Tasmania Police Service and who is appointed as a Dog Handler after successfully completing the required training.
23.1.2 Where inconsistent this clause prevails over:-
(a) Availability and Standby, clause 14.3; and
(b) Overtime during non work periods to care for the dog,clause 15.
23.2. Dog Handlers Allowance
23.2.1 Members who are Dog Handlers shall be paid an allowance of $8,591 pa.
23.2.2 The allowance is payable in recognition of:-
(a) Availability and/or Standby rostered and required by the Commissioner to ensure coverage;
(b) Requirement to train, feed, clean and care for their dog(s) and kennel area on any non-work day;
(c) Requirement to care for their dog(s) outside normal rostered hours;
(d) Disturbance of leisure;
(e) Speciality skill and training required for dog(s) handlers.
23.2.3 The allowance will be adjusted in line with Award/Agreement Wage increases that occur from time to time to the base salary for police constables.
23.3 Leave
23.3.1 Recreation Leave will be programmed in advance for the following calendar year by November.
23.3.2 Dog Handlers will provide six (6) months notice of an intention to take leave in excess of two weeks at a time.
23.3.3 In determining the programmed leave, consultation will occur between the Commander and two (2) dog handlers to:-
(a) Ensure different dates are programmed;
(b) Preferably allocate leave periods in two 2 week blocks; and
(c) Establish dog care arrangements during the leave periods beyond two (2) weeks which are agreed between all parties.
23.3.4 Dog care arrangements during leave will be negotiated between the Commander and Dog Handlers for each period of leave having regard to:
(a) An agreement is required if a Dog Handler is made responsible for the care (feeding, cleaning, caring etc) for a second dog for a period of time greater than two weeks.
(b) The responsibilities for the care of a second dog will be taken into consideration when allocation of duties is made during this period.
(c) A Dog Handler would normally be available to care for the dog whilst of recreation leave; however, there is no compulsion to do so for extended leave.
(d) If the Dog Handler is unable to care for the dog during leave, alternative arrangements are to be made.
23.4 General
23.4.1 All food, veterinary and costs associated with the care of and accommodation for the dogs will be met by the Department.
23.4.2 Dog Handlers start work and finish work from home when in care of the dog and/or vehicle.
23.4.3 Unless special circumstances exist, the Dog Handler will train and feed the dog during normal rostered hours.
23.4.4 Protective clothing will be provided when appropriate and the uniform is to be worn in accordance with the current uniform policy.
23.4.5 The availability of the dogs for duty will be on a week on week off basis except during leave periods of the other dog trainer.
23.4.6 The annual licence fee for a Shot-firer's Certificate will be at Department expense.
23.4.7 Appropriate accommodation and housing for the dogs out of area will be provided by the Department at Hobart and Launceston.
23.4.8 A portable kennel and cage facility will be provided by the Department at the residence of each Dog Handler. The members residence must also be assessed as being suitable to accommodate the dogs prior to selection.
23.4.9 An appropriately equipped vehicle will be supplied to each Dog Handler with the capacity to transport two (2) dogs and enable safe storage of their weapon and accouchements.
23.4.10 Dogs may not be required every day. Where this occurs the dogs are to be cared for appropriately by the member.
23.5 Review and Tenure
23.5.1 Regular re-views will be undertaken by suitably qualified persons to assess the performance and suitability of the dog and Dog Handler.
23.5.2 There is an expectation that the tenure for a Dog Handler will be for at least 7 years.
23.5.3 Consideration will be given to transfer after 5 years.
23.5.4 Consideration will be given to a Dog Handler who requests a transfer within 5 years of appointment of becoming a Dog Handler who demonstrates exceptional circumstances which is directly related to a request for transfer.
23.5.5 In any event six months notice will normally be provided, wherever possible, by the Dog Handler to transfer or cease duty, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner of Police.