Ref: PCC/D/2025/09
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Police dogs are an essential resource which, if used effectively, can make a valuable contribution to reducing and detecting crime and disorder and building safer communities.
The West Mercia Dog STRA 2025-26 identified a shortfall in Drugs Currency Firearms Component Specialist Search Dogs (DCF) capability. The West Mercia Police Dog Unit have an aspiration to conduct an accredited 8-week course to train three new Handler Teams from 6th May 25. The target odours Heroin, Amphetamine, Cocaine, MDMA and Cannabis 1g, 3g, 5g 10g and 100g are required to be trained and tested during the course to meet National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS) accreditation within the drugs odour discipline.
All substances are registered and controlled (accounted within each hide(s)) during training and are stored within secure safes whilst in transit and outside training hours.
Due to the limited life of Cannabis outside and within sealed bags, the prior training substance was destroyed (with disposal appropriately recorded) due to being ineffective as a target odour. Due to procurement changes for Cannabis, Police Dog Units are now required to source Cannabis locally within force from seizures made. All substances other than Cannabis are provided within a national procurement chain and are therefore not subject to this request.
The force is requesting a quantity of seized cannabis be reassigned for the purpose of police dog training. Recording, registering and handling of the substance from whole life to destruction will be under the supervision of an accredited Home Office Instructor.
PROPOSAL
Approval from the Police and Crime Commissioner is sought for the force to internally procure an agreed quantity of Cannabis for training and accreditation from seized stock (property).
APPROVAL OF
West Mercia Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
PART 1 – NON-CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT FACTS AND FIGURES
SUPPORTING REPORT
In line with the Executive Summary the limited amount of Cannabis requested is now sourced via the subject method proposed as per this request.
It is critical to employ the substance within initial and continuation training to achieve the desired outcome to meet NCTAS accreditation within the drugs odour discipline.
The lawful power for the seizure of the substance requested is covered by Section 19 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
The capstone act for ‘Disposal by Retention’ is under the Regulation of Police Property Act (1987), Section 2A (c) ‘in the opinion of the (relevant body), the property can be used for police purposes. (d) the (relevant body) determine, in such a manner as may be prescribed by the regulation, that the property is to be retained by (the relevant body). This power affords the Police and Crime Commissioner the power to authorise West Mercia Police to make use of the cannabis requested for the purposes outlined within the report.
The NCTAS training methodology is well-established and nationally recognised.
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS
This decision supports the following element(s) of the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan:
☒ Cutting Crime ☒ Policing with the Community
☐ Supporting Victims & Survivors ☒ Maximising Resources & Value
The decision supports this/ these objective(s) through the following:
- Cutting crime – supports the PCC’s mission to target illegal drugs and deliver safer communities.
- Policing with the Community – supports the PCC’s mission to improve public confidence through effective use of police resources to prevent and detect crime.
- Maximising resources and value for money – supports the PCC’s mission to deliver a competent and skilled workforce through enhanced training.
BENEFITS AND THEIR REALISATION
To be delivered via operational policing services, supported by the training enabled by this decision.
AUTHOR
Name Mel Reynolds Date 13/05/2025
FINANCIAL AND TREASURER COMMENTS
There are no financial implications arising from the decision proposed in this paper, provided all relevant legislation and policy are followed.
Treasurer
Signature Date 14/05/25
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
OFFICER APPROVAL
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Signature Date 16/05/2025
