FOI T1653/24 - Wellbeing Dogs And Leave

We have now had the opportunity to fully consider your request and we provide a response for your attention.

Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the People Services Department of Northumbria Police. We can confirm that the information you have requested is held in part by Northumbria Police.

We are able to disclose the located information to you as follows with the below caveat to be noted:

• Data supplied is as of 30 November 2024.

You asked:

1. How many wellbeing dogs are currently employed within your force, and if applicable, what breeds are they?

There are 7 currently in force.  We have 3 x spaniels, 2 x golden retrievers, 1 x cockapoo and 1 x labrador.

2. If the force does not have wellbeing dogs, is there another resource or provider used for this purpose?

N/a.

3. Is there a mental health policy inclusive of wellbeing dogs?

No information held. The Force does not have a specific policy inclusive of wellbeing dogs.

4. Over the past five years, what percentage of total sick days taken by police officers and staff were due to mental health conditions?

No information held; we do not hold this information as percentage. However, we are able to provide you with the raw data to enable you to make this calculation.  As such we can advise that the total number of sick days taken by both police officers and staff from 2019 to 30 November 2024 was 222,924 days, of which 75,297 days were due to Mental Health conditions.

5. What were the most common mental health conditions reported?

The most common mental health conditions reported were - Stress, Anxiety and Depression.