The management make the rules and answer to……………..?

Well we have finished with the interviews. The management have not found anything unusual from other dog units in our family of Forces as it is clear that we all play by the same rules, the recommendations from the manual. With all handlers and trainers interviewed it is again clear that there has been some form of a witch hunt where the insurgents have been protected no matter how poor a handler they are or how unsubstantiated the allegations are. Some of the handlers are worried as they have absolutely no idea why they were asked some of the questions. After several months we hope that we can start training again. The management want change but without consideration and apparent lack of concern for the animal side of the working relationship. They also have no understanding of what it takes in the area of dog training and have been able to cherry pick snippets that fit the profile of their own agenda. Even to the position of getting other trainers in to train the trainers of dogs how to train handlers but without the specialist knowledge, proven experience and aptitude. They would be happy if the roles were reversed and rightly so.

But with the federation assuring us there is nothing to worry about and management clearly gunning for someone to prevent egg on their faces for a massive over-reaction, the transferees have had their disciplinaries behind closed doors and been found guilty without the chance to get witnesses in to support their own case. Having got the cases against them ‘proved’ they are back at work almost doing what they did before which is very hypocritical of the management who want to be seen to stamp out what has been alleged.

The insurgents will not be happy as they will have hoped as their little list of allegations have, almost without question, held no water at all. Handlers are back at work and the section is firmly split into 2 factions. The handlers on one side and the small group of insurgents whom nobody trusts on the other. Everyone is supposed get on as though nothing has happened and to treat it as no knives were pushed into no-ones backs. All this despite some of the handlers not being of proven ability or having been nursed through their limited specialist support career. The only winners appear to be the management who have got some form of result and are the only real bullies in the whole sorry situation. Only damage has been done, personal reputations have been sullied at the bottom of the food chain. Handshakes all around at the top table whilst the bottom dwellers now have to pick up the pieces. Slowly but surely the management faces will change but the damage this has caused goes a lot farther.

The fact is that everyone the management has brought in has been forewarned of the management position and has been expected to follow the management lone no matter what the facts were. Some handlers and trainers have been very badly prejudged as a result as a result of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations. The management have bent over backwards to help and protect people who are now untouchable. Not a single bad word will be heard against them and several reports will never see the light of day, no matter how relevant, honest and evidence based they are. There is little doubt that some of them have seized the opportunity to score some important career enhancing points.

All this leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. The cynical hypocrisy and double standards, the secret agenda and the bullying of the management are to be expected as in this case rank clearly believes it is right, even without being in full possession of all the relevant facts.