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USE OF DRUG DOG
2100.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the management and tactical deployment of K-9 in a variety of operational settings
2100.01 POLICY
The Helper City Police Department’s K-9 Unit has been established to provide the department with an additional law enforcement tool. Due to a superior sense of smell, hearing and physical capabilities, the trained law enforcement K-9 is a valuable asset to police manpower. However, utilization of K-9 require strict adherence to procedures that properly control their use-of-force potential and that channel their specialized capabilities into legally acceptable crime prevention and control activities.
2100.02 DEFINITIONS
K-9 Team
An officer and the assigned police K-9.
Drug Dog
Police Service dog, trained only in the detection of narcotic odors.
K-9 Unit
Helper City Police Department’s assigned K-9 handlers, K-9 and K-9 supervisor.
2100.03 HANDLER SELECTION
Applicants for the Police K-9 Unit should understand the personal, family, and time commitment needed to become a successful K-9 team. Successful candidates will exhibit:
1. A willingness to stay with the unit for at least three years or until the retirement of the Police Service Dog.
2. A willingness, together with other family members to care for the house the K-9 at the officer’s residence with a secure area for the K-9 that conforms to department requirements.
3. A strong desire to work with K-9 and the willingness to care for and train the K-9.
4. Applicants should also exhibit a calm and professional manner in dealing with stressful situations.
5. Applicants should be proficient in report writing and record keeping skills.
6. Applicants will be required to pass physical and agility tests related to the tasks of K-9 handling.
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2100.04 POLICE SERVICE DOG SELECTION:
Selecting the proper dog is critical to the success of the K-9 program. When selecting a new dog, the assigned handler and one additional experienced handler should test the dog. If the assigned handler is inexperienced, two experienced handlers and the assigned handler should test the dog.
2100.05 TRAINING
Prior to field deployment each non-certified Police Service Dog team shall be reasonably trained and be evaluated by the lead handler, or a POST certified K-9 instructor or judge. The K-9 supervisor will give final approval before being granted field deployment status.
New Police Service Dog Teams, as scheduling allows, should be trained and certified to meet Utah POST standards.
K-9 teams shall demonstrate acquired abilities to the K-9 supervisor on an annual basis.
Failure to participate in, or qualify under, established training standards may result in decertification of the team. The team may not deploy until re-certified.
Each Police Service Dog team is authorized to train four hours per week. The team is encouraged to train on regular shift as time allows.
The four hour training may be conducted inter-departmental or as part of multi-agency weekly training. Approval from the K-9 supervisor will be required prior to missing the weekly training.
The K-9 supervisor shall authorize additional outside training and competition.
2100.06 K-9 DEPLOYMENTS SHALL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
K-9 teams are available for call out at any time with supervisor approval.
K-9 teams may assist other agencies with supervisor approval as part of the multi-agency K-9 agreement. Helper City’s K-9 team will follow the policy and training practices of this department on deployments in other jurisdictions.
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2100.07 K-9 TEAMS WILL ASSIST POLICE PERSONNEL AS REQUESTED AND MAY RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING:
· Building searches
· Area searches
· Evidence searches
· Narcotics searches
· High risk stops
· Other deployments as required
2100.08 K-9 EMPLOYMENTS SHALL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
The Police Service Dog Handler shall have the ultimate authority on whether to deploy the K-9. The handler will evaluate each situation and determine if the use of the Police Service Dog is practicable.
2100.09 VEHICLE PURSUITS:
Severe turning and braking movements that commonly occur in pursuits are hazardous and may cause injury to unrestrained K-9.
In the event a K-9 unit initiates a pursuit, the handler will remain the primary unit until a patrol unit arrives to assist. The K-9 unit will then take a secondary position until a second patrol car arrives. The K-9 unit will then take the third position for a rapid response when the pursuit terminates.
2100.10 NARCOTICS SEARCHES:
Upon arriving on a narcotics detail the handler will make contact with the initial officer. The handler makes a decision based on information provided on whether to deploy the drug dog.
Prior to deployment the handler will inspect the search area looking for narcotics in plain view, sharp objects, food items, or any other items that may endanger the dog.
On vehicle narcotics sniffs, if traffic is present, the drug dog should be deployed on lead. In the event probable cause has not been established the drug dog will sniff the exterior of the vehicle first. If the drug dog indicates, probable cause has been established to search the interior of the vehicle.
If the drug dog gives a positive indication, the handler will inform the initial officer of the area of the indication and a decision will be made which officer will search the area and recover the narcotics.
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If available, drug dogs may be utilized to sniff vehicles being impounded.
A drug dog can be used to speed up the searching process of a residence. Since residences are one of the most protected areas under the Fourth Amendment, a search warrant or consent prior to entering the property on a narcotics deployment must be obtained.
2100.11 NARCOTIC TRAINING AIDS:
Police Service Dogs require extensive training and maintenance in narcotics detection. Each handler is issued a quantity of narcotics for training purposes.
The rotation of narcotics is an important factor in the training of a drug dog. Narcotics can become contaminated during training scenarios and it’s recommended that narcotics be replaced as they become available.
In the event narcotics become contaminated or lost during training scenarios, the handler will report the incident to the K-9 supervisor. The K-9 supervisor will forward the information to the patrol lieutenant. Replacement of the narcotic will be given when available. Approval to release narcotics for K-9 training must be in writing and signed by the Chief or Sergeant.
The narcotics should be secured in the K-9 patrol vehicle unless:
a. The vehicle is left for service or repair.
b. The handler is on vacation.
c. The vehicle is utilized by someone other than the handler.
2100.12 BITE BY A POLICE SERVICE DOG:
When a Police Service Dog is involved in a bite situation on handler shall ensure that the following steps are taken.
a. Evaluate the subject for injury.
b. Request medical attention of necessary.
c. Notify on duty supervisor.
d. Photograph injuries.
e. Complete written report of incident.
2100.13 K-9 TRAINING AND DEPLOYMENT RECORDS:
It is important to maintain records of both training and deployment for each K-9. It is the individual handlers responsibility to ensure all records are up to date.
A statistical report will be forwarded to the K-9 supervisor at the end of each Quarter.
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2100.14 K-9 FEEDING AND GROOMING:
Food for the Police Service Dogs will be provided by the Helper City Police Department. For the health and safety of the dog and if possible, deployment should not occur within one hours after feeding.
Handlers should brush dog on a regular basis. Brushing the dog will help detect physical problems, remove burrs, etc. Psychologically, brushing helps with bonding between the dog and handler.
Police Service Dogs should be bathed as often as needed to maintain a professional appearance. Handlers should not allow their K-9 to become offensives in appearance or odor.
The Police Service Dog handler shall be compensated for the time spent in the care, feeding, grooming, and other needs of the dog provided in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
2100.15 INJURIES AND HEALTH CARE:
When a Police Service Dog suffers an injury or becomes sick, the handler will notify the 9 supervisor. Arraignments should then be made for veterinary care.
If a Police Service Dog is seriously injured, an emergency veterinarian should be contacted and the K-9 should be transported immediately for medical treatment. The K-9 supervisor should be notified as soon as possible.
Each Police Service Dog will receive a yearly examination and receive all necessary immunizations.
2100.16 EQUIPMENT:
The department will be responsible for providing and maintaining the necessary equipment for basic and in-service training. Each handler will be assigned K-9 training equipment, which should be stored in the K-9 vehicles.
Handlers will be responsible for submitting requests for needed training equipment. Request will be submitted for approval to the K-9 supervisor. Descriptions of the equipment cost and vendor information should be submitted.
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2100.17 KENNEL
It is the K-9 handler’s responsibility to provide an area to house the K-9. A floor that the Police Service Dog cannot dig out of, or a concrete pad the minimum size of the kennel is to be provided.
A chain link or steel kennel will be provided by the Helper City Police Department to house the Police Service Dog.
Helper City Police Department reserves the right to inspect the living conditions of each Police Service Dog.
2100.18 RETIRED POLICE SERVICE DOG:
Police Service Dogs will retire on the recommendation of the veterinarian due to age or medical reasons. Police Service Dogs may also be retired for un-resolvable performance problems.
At the discretions of the Helper City Police Department retired Police Service Dogs will be sold to the current handler. If the current handler is unable to accept the dog, another handler or person with K-9 experience may accept retired Police Service Dogs.
Legal ownership of Police Service Dogs belongs to the Helper City Police Dogs until the K-9 retires. The accepting handler of the retired K-9 may purchase the dog for the sum of one dollar.
2100.19 PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS AND EVENTS:
All public requests for a Police Service Dog Team shall be approved by the K-9 supervisor prior to making any commitment.
2100.20 INTERFERING WITH CANINE OR HANDLER:
K-9 handlers should be familiar with Utah Code 76-9-306.
Department personnel or other persons shall not intentionally or knowingly:
a. Taunt, torment, or otherwise assault a Police Service Dog.
b. Throw any object or substance at or in the path of a Police Service Dog.
c. Interfere with or obstruct a Police Service Dog, or attempt to, or interfere with the handler or the dog in such a manner as to inhibit, restrict, or deprive the handler control of the dog.
d. Release the dog from its area of control, such as the police vehicle, kennel, or pen, or trespass in that area of control.
e. Place any food, object, or substance into a Police Service Dog’s area of control without the permission of the handler.
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