Well the corner stone to FAC grants seems to be the DSC1 with rifle handling safety, shooting test! then soon be booking on a HAD course and no practical to pass
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Available: Humane dispatch course( Hampshire )
- Thread starter cookingfat
- Start date
I haven’t done the course.
I do not believe they will take on someone with limited experience, i would presume some sort of vetting regarding skills and I would also presume the course itself has a very high content regarding legalities, process, dealing with the public.
I do not believe they will take on someone with limited experience, i would presume some sort of vetting regarding skills and I would also presume the course itself has a very high content regarding legalities, process, dealing with the public.
Presume & Believe
But not having a practical assessment in what will be a stressful close quarters event one would hope you had to demonstrate a level of ability as it involves firearms.
Blaser243
Well-Known Member
The course run in Hampshire does involve practical training scenarios (with dummy firearms, we all know you can pull the trigger). These role plays are perhaps the hardest bit for some folk, but really do give a good insight into what needs to happen in reality.
On the assessment day itself, there are also several role play scenarios used to test candidates, using real officers, professional actors and other HADs as members of the public. Aside from senior experienced HADs being involved in the assessment, so are police firearms officers, and it is run at their training facility. It’s proper training and proper assessment. The interview is also very thorough and nobody is interested in how many deer you’ve stalked or what you’re like with a rifle at 200m. It’s far more important that you’ve had some practical experience of dispatching deer or other animals at close quarters.
For me, regardless of copious stalking experience, a compelling factor for the panel was my experience with livestock: I know by its body language what an animal is likely to do next, which can be the difference between an injured deer being dispatched humanely and safely and a disturbed three legged roe buck causing a pile-up on the M3.
I did the course and have now done quite a few calls. Most are straightforward. I’m glad to be useful and be able to use my skills in the community, it’s as simple as that.
On the assessment day itself, there are also several role play scenarios used to test candidates, using real officers, professional actors and other HADs as members of the public. Aside from senior experienced HADs being involved in the assessment, so are police firearms officers, and it is run at their training facility. It’s proper training and proper assessment. The interview is also very thorough and nobody is interested in how many deer you’ve stalked or what you’re like with a rifle at 200m. It’s far more important that you’ve had some practical experience of dispatching deer or other animals at close quarters.
For me, regardless of copious stalking experience, a compelling factor for the panel was my experience with livestock: I know by its body language what an animal is likely to do next, which can be the difference between an injured deer being dispatched humanely and safely and a disturbed three legged roe buck causing a pile-up on the M3.
I did the course and have now done quite a few calls. Most are straightforward. I’m glad to be useful and be able to use my skills in the community, it’s as simple as that.
That is more like it, but as BTB said his was classroom only!
cookingfat
Well-Known Member
Tim
There is a practical element in the DMQ course, using two or three close quarters scenarios which does prepare the candidates for what they’re going to get at any Police assessment.
Blaser243
Well-Known Member
Perhaps that’s something people should bear in mind when they complain that standards have changed since they did other courses in the past.
With respect the scenario with an online course would be a far different affair to a big red/fallow trying to get up with it's back end broken.
Like all courses they have conflicting stories.
Many many years ago a local copper came out to shoot an Alsatian with a broken back in the farm gateway, Dad took him to it, he got the pistol out and said "I can't do it"
Then asked Dad to shoot it, (wrong yes) welfare grounds then get it shot.
cookingfat
Well-Known Member
100%
cookingfat
Well-Known Member
Hampshire are still looking for more volunteers particularly in the areas mentioned below.
Interested in joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Humane Animals Dispatch (HAD) Volunteer Scheme?
HADs are called out by the force control room 24/7, 365 days a year, to reports of injured deer which have mainly have been involved in collisions on Hampshire's roads.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognise their responsibilities, accountabilities and the importance of animal welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Deploying a HAD volunteer means we are not allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Dispatch of the animal is completed as effectively and humanely as possible.
These volunteers are all experts in the field of deer management, and enable us to have the right resource in the right situation.
Our scheme has also had the backing from leading deer industry and animal welfare organisations, and other stakeholders, such as The British Deer Society (BDS), the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Applicants must have the following essential criteria in order to apply:
* Firearms Certificate & Shotgun certificate
* Open Condition on your Firearms Certificate
* Full UK driving licence
* Hold the Deer Management Qualification (DMQ) HAD Award
If you require any further information please email the HAD coordinator on: humaneanimaldispatch@hampshire.police.uk
We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Test Valley (North & South) and Winchester areas of Hampshire, recruiting opening in the Autumn 2026.
Interested in joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Humane Animals Dispatch (HAD) Volunteer Scheme?
HADs are called out by the force control room 24/7, 365 days a year, to reports of injured deer which have mainly have been involved in collisions on Hampshire's roads.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognise their responsibilities, accountabilities and the importance of animal welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Deploying a HAD volunteer means we are not allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Dispatch of the animal is completed as effectively and humanely as possible.
These volunteers are all experts in the field of deer management, and enable us to have the right resource in the right situation.
Our scheme has also had the backing from leading deer industry and animal welfare organisations, and other stakeholders, such as The British Deer Society (BDS), the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Applicants must have the following essential criteria in order to apply:
* Firearms Certificate & Shotgun certificate
* Open Condition on your Firearms Certificate
* Full UK driving licence
* Hold the Deer Management Qualification (DMQ) HAD Award
If you require any further information please email the HAD coordinator on: humaneanimaldispatch@hampshire.police.uk
We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Test Valley (North & South) and Winchester areas of Hampshire, recruiting opening in the Autumn 2026.
Deerkeeper2
Well-Known Member
Hampshire are still looking for more volunteers particularly in the areas mentioned below.
Interested in joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Humane Animals Dispatch (HAD) Volunteer Scheme?
HADs are called out by the force control room 24/7, 365 days a year, to reports of injured deer which have mainly have been involved in collisions on Hampshire's roads.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognise their responsibilities, accountabilities and the importance of animal welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Deploying a HAD volunteer means we are not allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Dispatch of the animal is completed as effectively and humanely as possible.
These volunteers are all experts in the field of deer management, and enable us to have the right resource in the right situation.
Our scheme has also had the backing from leading deer industry and animal welfare organisations, and other stakeholders, such as The British Deer Society (BDS), the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Applicants must have the following essential criteria in order to apply:
* Firearms Certificate & Shotgun certificate
* Open Condition on your Firearms Certificate
* Full UK driving licence
* Hold the Deer Management Qualification (DMQ) HAD Award
If you require any further information please email the HAD coordinator on: humaneanimaldispatch@hampshire.police.uk
We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Test Valley (North & South) and Winchester areas of Hampshire, recruiting opening in the Autumn 2026.
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Saracen666
Well-Known Member
Thanks.Hampshire are still looking for more volunteers particularly in the areas mentioned below.
Interested in joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Humane Animals Dispatch (HAD) Volunteer Scheme?
HADs are called out by the force control room 24/7, 365 days a year, to reports of injured deer which have mainly have been involved in collisions on Hampshire's roads.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognise their responsibilities, accountabilities and the importance of animal welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Deploying a HAD volunteer means we are not allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Dispatch of the animal is completed as effectively and humanely as possible.
These volunteers are all experts in the field of deer management, and enable us to have the right resource in the right situation.
Our scheme has also had the backing from leading deer industry and animal welfare organisations, and other stakeholders, such as The British Deer Society (BDS), the RSPCA, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Applicants must have the following essential criteria in order to apply:
* Firearms Certificate & Shotgun certificate
* Open Condition on your Firearms Certificate
* Full UK driving licence
* Hold the Deer Management Qualification (DMQ) HAD Award
If you require any further information please email the HAD coordinator on: humaneanimaldispatch@hampshire.police.uk
We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Test Valley (North & South) and Winchester areas of Hampshire, recruiting opening in the Autumn 2026.
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