K-9 policy
Policy text
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Source file: 1.22 K-9 policy.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
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Policy & Procedures No. 1.22
Subject:
K-9
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 06/01/2009 09/28/2023
References:
Review
Revision 01/13/2014
Reissued 12/14/2016
Dates: 12/10/2018
12/08/2020
CALEA Standards 41.1.4
GENERAL CONDITIONS AND GUIDELINES
The police K-9 Unit, when trained and used properly, can be a valuable asset and effective tool
for a police department. This tool enhances the capabilities of police officers, just as radar units,
or binoculars. It provides increased safety for officers and, if used properly, increases the
chances for apprehension of criminals. By virtue of certain physical talents, the trained police
dog can perform support tasks, such as searching and tracking, more efficiently than can officers
alone. The risk of civil liability is however, always present; but this risk is present in all phases
of police work. Risks can be managed and minimized through training and working with a strict
policy and procedure. If steps such as these are taken, the risk of liability will be outweighed by
the benefits gained from having a trained dog available.
The K-9 Unit provides a highly-trained team (dog and handler) to assist in all phases of police
work. For a department’s canine program to be effective, all officers must be familiar with the
capabilities of the trained police dog. The police canine, properly employed, enhances the patrol
and investigative functions in many ways. Recognition of the police dog’s unique talents;
however, is not enough; the police officers must be willing to depend on the canine to
accomplish those things that humans cannot do.
Purpose 41.1.4 C,H
The K-9 Unit has been established for the purpose of providing a highly trained team (dog and
handler) to assist in all aspects of police work. While serving in this capacity it must be
recognized that the K-9 deployment, under certain conditions, constitutes the use of FORCE. It
shall, therefore, be the duty and responsibility of the K-9 handler to determine when, and under
what conditions, the K-9 will be committed to a course of action involving the application of
force. In matters of routine patrol response, the K-9 serves as a very important asset and may
reduce substantially the dangers inherent to law enforcement officers in the performance of their
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duties. K-9 Units provide a unique support service to other response units. The K-9 Unit can
accomplish the following: 41.1.4 C
1. Additional safety for all patrol officers.
2. Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the patrol function
by reducing the crime rate; preventive patrolling.
3. Improve public relations by solving a higher percentage of
crimes.
4. Possibility of obtaining a return on investment by the “fruits of
the poison tree” theory.
5. Protection of the public by the dog’s searching ability for lost or
dangerous people.
6. Building searches and apprehension of suspects.
7. Crowd control
8. Drug detection
PROCEDURES
I. Only a trained K-9 handler is authorized to use the animal. 41.1.4 A
II. K-9 Officers will be responsible for the health, security, safety and 24-hour care of
his/her animal at all times. 41.1.4 F
III. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Shift Lieutenant or designee to exercise
overall supervision of the K-9 Unit when assigned to his/her command. All records,
certificates, and reports will be kept in the Lieutenant’s office.
• Liaison with other departments and agencies.
• Deployment of K-9 Units in a manner consistent with this policy.
• Administer and otherwise ensure that handler and canine participate
in an approved ongoing training program.
• Coordinate and otherwise assume responsibility for field supervision
of K-9 Units.
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• Supervise the maintenance, care and proper utilization of K-9
equipment and/or resources.
• Establish and maintain good working relationship between K-9
Unit and other shifts and activities.
• Receive and inform K-9 Unit of orders from higher authority and
coordinate such special assignments as are required and/or appropriate.
IV. DESIGNATED K-9 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
The K-9 Officer shall be responsible for performing all duties assigned by Shift
Lieutenant or designee. 41.1.4 C
• Crime prevention patrol
• Field and building searches
• Respond and assist on all In Progress Breaking and Entering and Robbery calls
• Assist in the apprehension or prevention of escape of suspects.
• Assist other law enforcement officers and agencies when authorized and directed by
Shift Lieutenant or designee.
• Decide on tactical deployment of the K-9 and determine the ability to
accomplish a given task.
• Deploy other uniformed officers at the scene in a manner designed to support
and accomplish the K-9 Team’s primary objective.
V. OFFICER AT THE SCENE – OTHER THAN K-9 HANDLER
RESPONSIBILITIES
When it is determined that a K-9 Team is required, other officers
at the scene have certain responsibilities.
• Secure the area until the K-9 Team arrives
• Protect scene from contamination of human scent and chemicals (engine
exhaust).
• If a B & E in progress, do not enter building unless ordered to do so at
scene by the Commanding Officer. Instead secure exterior exits.
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• Assist the K-9 Team as requested by the handler.
• Keep away from doors and windows while K-9 is searching inside a building.
• Keep loud noises to a minimum.
• Avoid excessive talking while the K-9 Team is working.
• Extinguish all lights, including flashlights.
• Keep area clear of civilians.
VI. BUILDING SEARCHES
• When a suspected building break has been detected, and a K-9 Unit is needed. The
officer at the scene will request the use of the K-9 Team. The Shift Lieutenant or
designee will make any final determination as to deployment of the K-9 Unit.
• Officers at the scene will secure or otherwise seal the area, requesting such other
assistance as is necessary to prevent possible escape from the building. Officers
should take particular care not to enter the building or allow others to contaminate the
area unless told to do so by a Shift Lieutenant or designee.
• Upon the arrival of the K-9 Team, the Officer-in- Charge will brief the Team on all
aspects of the situation, paying particular attention to the location of exits, concealed
hazards or movements observed within the building. If shots have been exchanged or
heard, the officer will advise the K-9 Handler to allow the selection of a proper and
efficient course of action. The K-9 handler will advise the Shift Lieutenant or
designee how the dog may best be deployed and will make the final decision relative
to committing the dog.
• The K-9 Team will enter the building in accordance with proper procedures and allow
the dog to search the area. Prior to entering and where possible, an announcement
should be made via a speaker or other suitable method, to advise the suspect that the
K-9 is about to be deployed and will use force if necessary. The suspect should be
given an appropriate amount of time to surrender.
• If the suspect does not surrender, the K-9 is to be released for the search.
• The officers on the outside of the building will not enter the site while the team is
working unless specifically requested by the K-9 handler. They will secure all
possible avenues of escape and eliminate as much noise as possible, thereby reducing
distractions for the K-9 Team.
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• If the suspect is apprehended by the K-9 Team, the handler will request assistance
from other officers if needed. All apprehended persons will be turned over to the
reporting officer for processing and medical treatment, if necessary, unless otherwise
stipulated by the Supervisor present at the scene.
• Upon completion of the search and apprehension, if made, the K-9 Team will
complete a K-9 incident report and submit it to the K-9 Lieutenant or designee and a
supplemental report to the original incident.
VII. FIELD SEARCHES
• When a need for a K-9 Team is established, officers will request assistance through
normal channels and/or communications. Communication between the Shift
Supervisor and Shift Lieutenant or designee is vital in all requests for K-9 Team
deployment.
• Officers, while waiting for the K-9 Team to arrive, will take all precautions necessary
to protect evidence at the scene, making sure not to handle any materials, which may
later be used by the K-9 Team in accomplishment of the search. Once handled, the
evidence becomes contaminated with the scent of the officer and may confuse the dog
and render the evidence useless for the Team.
• Upon arrival of the K-9 Team, the Officer-in- Charge will brief the team of all aspects
of the situation, paying particular attention to identification of the subject (criminal or
missing person, child or adult, mental status, etc.), perimeters of the search area, or
any known concealed hazards. A course of action should be agreed upon, which
identifies search priorities, landscape and the security of boundaries, which will assist
the K-9 Team in performing its function. The K-9 Handler will make the final
decision relative to committing his dog.
• The K-9 Team will enter the field in accordance with the established procedures and
allow the dog to search the area. Where the search involves locating a criminal, the
suspect should be advised where possible, by bull horn, etc., prior to deployment, that
the K-9 is to be deployed and will use force if necessary.
• In the event of a stolen or abandoned vehicle or possible drug search of vehicle, the
officers will pay particular attention to remain as far from the vehicle as possible. The
vehicle may serve as a point of origin for a track of the suspect.
• Upon completion of the search and/or apprehension the K-9 Handler will submit a K-
9 report to the K-9 Lieutenant or designee and a supplemental report to the original
incident.
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VIII. CROWD CONTROL
• When the K-9 Team is required for crowd control, officers will request assistance
through normal channels of communications mentioned earlier in this policy.
• K-9 Teams SHOULD NOT be dispatched to crowd control duties without the K-9
Unit Supervisor or other Command personnel present.
• K-9 Teams SHOULD NOT be integrated with uniformed officers, if at all possible.
• Dogs will remain ON LEASH during this type of operation and shall not be released
without EXPRESS AUTHORITY OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER.41.1.4 B
• The use of the K-9 Teams for crowd control constitutes a show of force. As in all
actions dealing with the public, common sense must prevail Act only as necessary for
the safety of all concerned.
IX. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE K-9 TEAM
Arrest and Apprehension: When K-9 Team is used to arrest or apprehend a
suspect, the Team will turn the suspect over to the responsible officer for processing. If
for any reason the officer is unable to accommodate the arrest process, the K-9 officer
will become the arresting officer.
Activity Reports: The K-9 Team will file daily activity reports for the purpose of
recording arrests, back-up calls, mutual aid, or other assignments or requests for service
and training. All such reports will be maintained by the K-9 Handler.
Dog Bites: It will be the responsibility of the K-9 Officer to all required reports of dog
bites promptly, as established procedures dictate regarding the use of force. A copy of
this report will be maintained by the K-9 Handler and the K-9 Lieutenant or designee for
future reference or evidence. 41.1.4 H
Paid Details: Officers assigned as K-9 Handlers shall not be accompanied by, or
otherwise utilize the K-9 while on paid details or similar activity beyond the scope of
their official tour of duty.
Injury to Dog: In instances where the dog sustains injury as a result of line of duty work,
the K-9 Officer will determine the ability of his/her animal to continue with the mission.
The defense of the K-9 Officer’s decision will be his/hers alone.
The K-9 Officer will submit a K-9 injury report to the K-9 Lieutenant or designee Injury
to Handler When the K-9 Officer falls injured, the following precautions will be taken by
all on site personnel:
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DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES approach the dog or attempt to render
immediate first aid unless fatality will result.
• Officers will request medical assistance for a fallen/injured K-9 Handler immediately.
• Attempt to get the Handler to control the dog. Possible move the K-9 Cruiser next to
the officer and open the door (the dog may jump in).
• If at all possible, attempt to get another Handler (preferably one who has trained with
the injured officer and dog) to remove the dog or control his/her actions.
• Attempt to contact a member of the K-9 Officer’s family to control the dog.
• Contact the Animal Control Officer.
• USE COMMON SENSE – If fatality will occur as a result of delayed medical
treatment, officers should take all necessary steps to aid the fallen officer. The dog
can be replaced when and if his/her presence constitutes a hazard to the handler.
THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH DECISION ONLY AND IS ONLY TO BE
USED AS A LAST RESORT.
X. Training/Retraining
• Initial training of the dog and handler is required before going into the field. Upon
completion of the initial training program, a retraining cycle will be established by the
department with recommended retraining to be at least two (2) days per calendar
month with a minimum of eighteen (18) days per year. 41.1.4 D
XI. General Considerations a Prohibited Behavior
The training, care and continued association of Handler and K-9 produce for the
dog, a loyalty, which recognizes neither danger nor good intentions. The dog is
unable to distinguish the difference between suspect and police officer. He must,
therefore, be dealt with cautiously and with respect while working and during
periods of routine patrol.
• Officers shall not TEASE or otherwise PROVOKE the dog at any time.
• Officers shall not FEED the dog without the expressed approval of the Handler.
• Officers shall not PET or TOUCH the dog without the expressed approval of the K-9
Handler.
• Officers shall not initiate any SHARP NOISE or MOVEMENT, which could affect
the stability of the K-9 while confined to a vehicle or working under the direction of
the Handler.
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• Officers shall not interfere or attempt to direct the K-9 Team.
• Officers shall not request K-9 assistance in situation, which will not allow the K-9 to
perform.
List of Required Equipment 41.1.4 E
1. Leather leash
2. Long line (nylon)
3. Muzzle
4. Leather collar
5. Choke chain/pinch collar
6. Harness
7. Ballistic vest for K9
8. Equipment bag
9. First aid kit
10. Water bowl
11. Grooming brush
12. Airline kennel
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