What is the ruling on one who works as a handler for police dogs?

Question:
Some people work as handlers for dogs that detect narcotics, and they wear special clothing for training. They ask: How do we pray when the time for prayer comes?

Answer:
Police dogs, you mean?
Q: Yes, police dogs. They ask: How do we pray when the time for prayer comes? They are afraid that the dog may have licked the clothing or something like that?
A: Our advice to them is to seek a job other than this one. Otherwise, it is obligatory for them to wash anything they see [contaminated], and if they do not see anything, the original state is purity. If the saliva of a dog gets on one of their garments, he has to wash it seven times; this is the most cautious course. And if he does not see anything, the original state is safety. However, if a job other than this becomes available for them, that would be better for them.
Q: Even though they detect [narcotics] and are useful?
A: Staying away from it is safer—may Allah grant us well-being.