New dog training centre opens at Herts Police headquarters

The official opening of the new dog training centre at Hertfordshire Constabulary headquarters in Welwyn Garden City (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary) The state-of-the-art training facility at Hertfordshire Constabulary headquarters (HQ) was officially opened by Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss, alongside Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards.

The Stanborough centre is also an operational base for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit officers and includes purpose-built kennels for their police dogs. 

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: “It is great to see the building and training area fully operational.

"We’re already hosting training for dog handlers from other forces and it is hoped that it will be seen as a national centre for excellence in police dog training in the future.” 

 

Chief Constable Charlie Hall at the opening of the new dog training facility at Herts Police HQ in Welwyn Garden City (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary) The kennels have been designed in consultation with the Dogs Trust to ensure they meet the highest standards of animal welfare.

Additional kennel space to house police dogs from regional and national forces during training delivery has also been factored in.

One of the many new features is a dedicated training and instructional room which provides an innovative space allowing handlers to receive theory inputs utilising current modern audiovisual equipment. 

The room’s furniture can be folded and moved into an internal storage area, therefore providing an area for dogs and handlers to work together. 

This new facility is the focal point for the existing training facilities at the HQ site, benefitting the 50 plus dogs that the instructional team are responsible for training, including puppy development.

Training activities routinely utilise a large secure dedicated training field, agility equipment, search grids, enrichment area and odour identification building.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “Our police dogs dedicate a lifetime of service, working alongside police officers and staff to keep our communities safe.

"This new facility also demonstrates how seriously we take police dog welfare in Hertfordshire to ensure they get the best care and training whether on duty or off duty.”

The construction of the facility, undertaken by contractor Willmott Dixon, is part of the wider redevelopment of HQ in WGC which involves demolition of five buildings into one four-storey modern building.

Also in attendance at the opening on Friday, October 18 was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Annie Brewster and representatives from construction partner Willmott Dixon.

Senior officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Joint Protective Services, who oversee the Dog Unit, also attended, including Assistant Chief Constable Karena Thomas, Chief Inspector Chris Huggins and Unit Inspector Declan McDonagh.

Inspector Dec McDonagh said: “The new facilities at Hertfordshire headquarters are a fantastic addition to the Dog Unit.

"They will enable us to continue to develop high-quality dog teams to keep the communities of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire safe.

"This is a real legacy project that will continue to benefit both dogs and handlers for years to come.”