Corporal Heather Lacey
Job role: RAF Police

Joined the RAF: August 1997

Overseas travel: Iraq, Falkland Islands

Career highlights:

• Taking part in the RAF Equitation Championships and gaining second place in the novice one-day event
• Being one of the first two RAF Police dog handlers to qualify as a vehicle search dog handler
• Working alongside the British Army dog handlers and other multi-national forces in Iraq

‘After a year in the RAF Police I decided to specialise as a dog handler. I completed my initial dog training at the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray. During training you work with several experienced dogs, but once you specialise you’re often paired with a single dog.

‘My current dog is a German Shepherd called Tyson. Most of the dogs we use are German Shepherds or Springer Spaniels. You form a very close bond with your dog and often find yourself coming in to visit them on the weekends.

‘There are different types of specialist police dogs. Some are trained to locate missing people or track suspects. Others search for missing property and are trained to seek out any foreign object in a given area, for instance a bunch of keys that have been dropped in a field. Vehicle search dogs are trained to locate weapons and explosives.

‘I have worked Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands, where I carried out patrols as part of base security. Most recently I did a six-month tour of Basra in Iraq, where I worked with my dog at vehicle checkpoints, searching for weapons and explosives. It was quite exciting; I often had to travel to the checkpoint by helicopter.’

Web Chat session with Corporal Heather Lacey - Wednesday 30 January 2008

All questions were moderated for content and suitability.

Matty_T: As a member of the RAF, is your work orientated around protecting/ ensuring the security of the RAF's resources etc. in general?

Heather Lacey: In general yes. We're given various taskings on any given RAF unit. From crowd control, protection of MOD property, protection of evidence and recovery of evidence. So all our dogs and handlers do cover a multitude of roles.

Colette: Hello Heather i have been waiting for someone to come on this chat who does the job i am joining for, just wanted to ask you did you always want to be a in the RAF as a Police dog handeler

Heather Lacey: Yes. I've always had a love of animals. And it was much quicker to work with dogs in the airforce than in the police. You also have bigger dog sections in the RAF so there's a bigger social life too. You've got a better chance of working more varieties of dogs.

Miss Z: Whats it like being a girl in the RAF?

Heather Lacey: It's good. You get to do the same things as the guys (within dog handling/ RAF police). It's things like taking a bite from a dog I do it the guys do it. It makes no difference if you're 5 foot tall or six foot tall. (With full padded suit on of course!)

charlie: what does your dog unit training lnvolve?

Heather Lacey: After initial RAF recruit training, (approx 8 weeks maybe nine), Then go on to 22 weeks of basic RAF police training. And then you can move on to dogs. You get posted to an operational RAF station and from there you'll go to the defence animal centre (at Melton Mowbry). They do 2 weeks basic dog handling course followed by one week practical training assistant (taking bite of dog as above). To clarify - you're taught the correct way to receive a bite and work a dog without injuring either yourself or the dog.

Nicice: I noticed you are a cpl, how hard is it to get promoted withing the police section? What sort of things can you specialise in other than the dog section?

Heather Lacey: Because technically you have a career structure up to the age of 55. Promotion within the RAF Police is slower compared to other services or trades. We've not got as many seargent posts. That said you go through phases where it's quicker and slower. It is rightly quite competive for promotion so have to really work hard to stand out. But it's well worth it.

luke: what happens to the dog at nigfht

Heather Lacey: The dogs mainly work at night as they're patrol dogs. They're much more alert and awake during the hours of darkness due to their heightenend senses. They work at night - so we do too! Dogs that aren't working generally stay in the kennel and sleep soundly in the kennel. They have lots of room to roam around in there too. If a dog did suffer from separation anxiety there's a lot we can do to ease the stress of the dog.

Katie: Did you find life in the RAF hard at first?

Heather Lacey: Yes just purely becaue it's a completely different way of life compared to being at school. BUt you soon make new friends through training. Most of which you keep in touch with from then on.

JohnITFC: Even though you're a dog handler can you enter new trades within the RAF and improve your range of skills?

Heather Lacey: I don't know if you can within the RAF. You can do different specialisations in the RAF police. It is dependant on vacancies on trades, qualifications and passing of suitability boards interviews. It can be lengthy but it's not impossible. The reason it is lengthy is the RAF invests a large amount of dosh producing an RAF police person and so want to make sure you're serious before investing more money kind of thing!

Clare: what are the best and worst sides of being a police dog handler in the RAF?

Heather Lacey: Good sides the more you put in to training the dog the more they give back to you. So there's a great sense of accomplishment. Bad side you've got to be prepared to be cold wet and muddy! Very muddy! I'm literally doing that now - I've gone from working in Basra in 60 degree heat to whatever the weather is now here!

Rob: Hi Heather im waiting for my date to go in now, and would like to know a little more about basic training. im a bit worried about leaving friends and family.

Heather Lacey: Hi Rob and Katie you've asked very similar questions so I'm being cheeky and answering you both! I did do some fitness when I looked at joining up - just because PT (physical training) is a big part of the job. I have to admitt I was scared to start with, but everybody was in the same boat. By the time you'd met everybody and sorted where you were staying -you'd already made new friends.

Colette: What was it like working in Iraq?

Heather Lacey: Hot! Basically very hot! And tiring. But also very exciting and exhilirating. There were moments when I was scared. It's a bit like a roller coaster ride. You get the adrenalin taking over, whilst you're working it's not till later on you start to think about what you've been doing. You're part of team out there. Your fears tend to be way-layed by the other people you're working with.

charlie: hi , can you tell me how you joined the raf police and why?

Heather Lacey: I went through the normal RAF recruit selection. I already knew I wanted to join the police as I wanted to be a dog handler. And within the RAF that was the only way to do that job. ONce you've done all your initial training, it's a quicker process than joining say the civillian police. I've always had a great love of animals. I had a backgorund in working and trianing horses. So I wanted to move on to something along the same lines.

Gator: do i have to do a speific amount of time as a regular police before i can specialise or can i go straight in?

Heather Lacey: During the basic RAF police training people tend to volunteer for dogs during this period. Sometimes you're lucky you're posted straight to a base in to a dog section, and sometimes you are posted to a station and have to wait for a dog vacancy to arise. At the moment we're short of dog handlers so get going! So volunteering tends to get you on to dogs.

Nicola: How did you know this was what you wanted to do?

Heather Lacey: I've had a background of RAF in the family although not direct. (Was my grandparents). So I had an idea of what service life would be like. So it was a case of combining my love of animals also doing sports as well.

Rob: Hi Heather im waiting for my Draft Date now and im going into the RAFP, would you reccomend dog handling against say GPD?

Heather Lacey: If you want to be a dog handler - you're going to be in all weathers, all hours, and a basic love of animals - (that's essential!). Whereas GPD (General Police Duties) you tend to be in vehicles/ indoors and more paperwork maybe. Having said that you're still police first and a handler second.

Gator: what is your typical day like?

Heather Lacey: It depends what I'm doing actually! Coffee breaks lunch (kidding!) Obviously a lot of time spent looking after the dogs. So it's walking and grooming dog general animal welfare. That's also combined with continual training of the dog (which I love). That can involve anything from the dogs getting a bite, to agility and obstacle training.Setting up tracks to test if they can follow us. Finding explosives on a vehicle. Even finding a lost person. It greatly depends on which type of dog you're using at any given point.

charlie: did you have a chance of close protection duties?

Heather Lacey: All RAF police personnel can volunteer for close protection. But, the selection process is very physically demanding. Only once you've completed that can you get on to the course. So make sure you're fit or on the way there, and that you're very determined.

NJM: Do you stay with one dog throughout or do you switch dogs depending on what situation you are in?

Heather Lacey: That's a mixed one really! Yes you do stay with the same dog. But there's situations where you have to leave the dog behind. eg Quarantine regulations. I had to leave 'Duke' in Cyprus. He's going to have 6 months of sun sea and exercise before I see him again. So in the mean time I'm getting a new dog next week. So looking forward to meeting it! I don't know what gendre it is yet, so it will be a nice surprise!

adam: whats the selection process for RAFP?apart from the standard interview and forms?is there a specialist interview/tests?

Heather Lacey: It all goes on your aptitude scores. Obviously you've got to pass basic police training. But there's no special interviews or anything - its' just your aptitude.

JohnITFC: You mentioned the career structure which goes up to the age of 55. Do you think you'll stay with the RAF for the rest of your career?

Heather Lacey: At the moment yes! Situations change - personally and at work. So it's hard to say for sure. I'd like to progress and do some more specialist dog courses. At present i'm on 22 years a sub-corporal, and a sergeant you're offered to age of 47 or what they call 'lost 30' (which means in English! you can do 30 years of service if you want to). Once you reach the rank of flight sergeant, you are offered up to age 55.

charlie: what happens to your dog when you are on leave?

Heather Lacey: Other members of the section or a kennel maid will look after the dog while you're away. Animal welfare/ wellbeing is paramount. They're really looked after very well. I go in on my days off when I want and visit Tyson, take him for walks and stuff.

Zain: have you ever been in a critical situation?

Heather Lacey: Yes, generally critical situations you'd have backup from your colleagues. So as a rule it's not something you deal with on your own. A lot of the police training is role play - so you get an idea of what to expect. When you join the military you've got to expect that at times you'll be in dangerous situations. But you're given training, and working in a team to back you up.

Colette: what was your background before you joined RAF did you have any qualifications, was the RAF your first choice?

Heather Lacey: How long have you got! I suppose to start with I joined up late. I didn't join until I was 23. So I'd had a taste of civvy street! I'd been to agricultural college, and decided I wanted something more fulfilling ie working with animals. And then I saw the RAF dog demonstraiton team, and thought I'd see if I could give that a go!

Cpl Rose 2318 ATC: Where you in the cadets befor you joined the RAF and if so did it help with things like basic training

Heather Lacey: I personally wasn't,. I think it does help though. Becuase you have a basic understanding of the way the military works. Even down to things like the language used. You also know even though it's military based, you're still having fun. Yes you've got the discipline but you've got the outlet side as well.

NJM: You mentioned both Duke and Tyson,, are these both under the same training or are different dogs trained for different situatiions?

Heather Lacey: Yes you're right. Different dogs are trained for different situations. So Tyson is a German shephard police dog who does tracking for people, buidling searches, obedience, agility that kind of thing. Whereas Duke is a vehicle search dog. He looks for weapons and explosives. (He's a collie cross spaniel incase you're interested!) They are completly different to work with. Spaniels tend to be compltely hyperactive. German shepards are more controlled. Not as off teh wall as spaniels are.

crazyk: What are your working hours and what can you do in your spare time?

Heather Lacey: It depends on what shifts you do. Usually around 8 hours on a shift. And then off shift there's lots of sporting activities. You name it and you can do it virtually. Most units have various clubs like motor clubs or cinemas or theatre clubs that you can join to. I spend a lot of time in the saddle club as I do a lot of horse riding.

Nicice: I noticed you have to have a driving licence to apply so do you do a specialised driving course during training?

Heather Lacey: I don't think there is. There was a stage when you had to have a licence before you joined. I think you probably do have to have a licence. But I don't know for sure. Check with your careers office or you could phone the RAF on: 0845 605 5555.

Nicice: How young do you usually get the dogs?

Heather Lacey: They're usually about 18 months old. No dogs under the age of 12 months as they're not mature enough then to take the work / environment and so on. It's a totally different lifestyle to civillian. they need a chance to be a puppy first!

JohnITFC: do you have to maintain high standards of physical fitness even though you've finished Basic Training? or do you officers maintain your fitness standards?

Heather Lacey: Yes you have to do 6 monthly fitness tests and you have to pass (obviously!) On our unit we do 3 compulsory physical training a week. Usually two you can choose yourself. Could be eg if you're playing rugby that would count. You're encouraged to stay fit. And there's quite often intersection competitions organised. There's nothing wrong with a bit of competition between colleagues!

Liam Rose: As a member of the atc we do alot of drill and bulling shoes and so on is there alot of this in the raf or do u stay focused on your special area of work?

Heather Lacey: Just through basic training there is. But once you're on duty - you have to be clean and smart obviously - but you've got a lot to do focussed on the job at hand. There's the odd parade and stuff that comes up. So the old spit and polish comes out again.!

jake: how would you describe the raf in one word?

Heather Lacey: A challenge (oops that's two words!) Challenging then - that's one word!

Zain: apart from going on tour to Iraq, have you been anywhere else>?

Heather Lacey: I've been to the Falklands. Northern Island as well. Probably staying in UK this year. But I'd quite fancy a tour in Cyprus!

Colette: hi again, do you have any regrets about joining up?

Heather Lacey: Nope! The oppurtunities within service are just what I was looking for. As I'm very sporty and I've always been up for a challenge.

crazyk: is there an upper age limit and what happens to the dogs after they can't work anymore?

Heather Lacey: It depends on the individual dog. Officially it's 8 years old. Depends on the dog. Some dogs have been able to work until 12 - still looking like 14 month old dogs!

jake: do you make friends for live in the raf?

Heather Lacey: Yeah you do. But you also make a lot of acquaintences because you move around a lot. The RAF is quite a small family. So you might not see someone for 2 years then see them again!

CalG: Do you have many opportunities to visit the near by towns etc. and are you able to take public holidays off or are they chosen/ offered for you.

Heather Lacey: Thanks for the questions! Brilliant.

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.