Police Department Canine Unit Policy Table of Contents Section I A - Purpose B - Mission C - Policy D - Structure E - Definitions Section II A - Handler Qualifications B - Trainer Qualifications C - Supervisor Qualifications Section III A - Handler Responsibilities B - Trainer Responsibilities C - Supervisor Responsibilities Section IV A - Duties B - Deployments C - Management of Training Aids D - Emergency Procedures Section V A - Training B - Performance Standards Section I A - Purpose: It is the purpose of this policy to provide guidelines for the operation, training, certification and deployment of the canine unit. B - Mission It is the mission of the canine unit to provide the specialized services of highly trained canine teams to support field units in the performance of their duties. Unit members shall assist in the location and apprehension of suspects and items of evidence that may be of value in a criminal case. C - Policy Because of superior senses and agility, the trained police canine is a valuable supplement to law enforcement personnel. It is our policy that assigned canine teams be used, within these guidelines, to prevent, control and detect criminal activity using legally and tactically sound methods. D - Structure The canine unit is a specialized unit within the uniformed patrol division. A canine team shall consist of an officer and his/her assigned canine. The canine unit shall consist of a number of canine teams, to be determined by the Chief of Police or designate, and a unit trainer. The canine unit will be under the direct supervision of the Canine Unit Sergeant who will be responsible for all administrative matters involving the unit and its members. E - Definitions Handler - An officer, selected by the Chief of Police or designate, qualified by the trainer to care for and use a police service dog. Trainer - An officer, selected by the Chief of Police or designate, qualified by a professional training center as an expert in the training and use of police service dogs and their handlers. Patrol Dog - A service dog selected by the trainer and qualified by recognized standards to perform basic patrol functions (tracking, suspect and evidence searches etc.). Detector Dog - A service dog selected by the trainer and qualified by recognized standards to perform searches for hidden substances (narcotics, explosives etc.). Canine Team - The handler and assigned service dog. Certified - A team meeting the performance standards of the department, or recognized professional association, as evaluated by a qualified police service dog expert. Deployment - When a handler makes use of the assigned dog on duty in an official capacity. Apprehension - When a handler, making use of the assigned dog on duty in an official capacity, assists in locating either suspects or evidence. Community Contacts - Social and physical contact with citizens of the community. Section II A - Handler Qualifications An officer shall meet the following criteria to be considered for assignment to the canine unit. Interested individuals shall submit a request in writing to his/her supervisor explaining his/her qualifications. Participation in a training session and an oral interview will follow. A recommendation will then be made to the Chief of Police, or designate, who will make the final decision. Exceptions may be made when considering prior experience and/or training. 1 - Three years of law enforcement experience. 2 - Must be able to lift and carry the weight of the average police service dog as well as surmount routinely encountered obstacles. 3 - Must have an above average safety and attendance record for the past twelve months. 4 - Must have an overall performance rating that exceeds standards on his/her last annual performance evaluation. 5 - Must have no substantiated complaints within the past twelve months. 6 - Must be willing to work flexible hours, overtime and be called out during off duty hours. 7 - Must have a suitable place to house the canine and be willing to care for the animal until expiration. 8 - Must successfully complete the prescribed canine training program. B - Trainer Qualifications An officer shall meet the following criteria to be considered for assignment as the unit trainer. The unit supervisor shall make a recommendation to the Chief of Police, or designate, who will make the final decision. Exceptions may be made when considering prior training and/or experience. 1 - Must meet all the requirements for selection to the canine unit as a handler. 2 - Must have successfully worked as a police canine handler for a minimum of three years. 3 - Must successfully complete a police service dog trainers course from a professional training center which has been approved by the Chief of Police or designate. C - Supervisors Qualifications A supervisor shall meet the following criteria in order to be considered for assignment as the unit supervisor. The division commander shall make a recommendation to the Chief of Police, or designate, who will make the final decision. Exceptions may be made when considering prior training and/or experience. 1 - Must meet all the requirements for selection to the unit as a handler. 2 - Must have successfully worked as a police canine handler for a minimum of three years. 3 - Must successfully complete a police service dog administrators course from a professional training center which has been approved by the Chief of Police or designate. Section III A - Handlers Responsibilities The responsibilities of a unit handler include, but are not limited to, the following: 1 - Handlers will perform all patrol related functions as directed by the unit supervisor. 2 - Handlers will be responsible for the actions of their assigned dog at all times. 3 - Handlers will be responsible for the proper care of their assigned dog at all times. 4 - Handlers will assist in the initial and in-service training as directed by the unit trainer. 5 - Handlers will respond to dispatched calls for service whether on or off duty. 6 - Handlers will actively participate in public demonstrations as assigned by the unit supervisor. 7 - Handlers will be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of all issued equipment. 8 - The handler will be responsible to maintain the canine at an acceptable performance level and point out any and all deficient areas to the unit trainer. 9 - The handler is responsible to insure that all reports are completed before ending a tour of duty. 10 - The handler is responsible for maintaining a log of all the teams training, deployments, community contacts and apprehensions on department approved forms. 11 - The handler is expected to use his/her skills and those of his/her assigned canine to actively deter and detect criminal activity. B - Trainer Responsibilities The responsibilities of the unit trainer shall include, but are not limited to, the following: 1 - Assist in the selection process of perspective handlers. 2 - Test and select perspective canines for use by the unit. 3 - Train perspective canines and handlers to meet the performance standards. 4 - Insure that certified teams maintain the performance standards. 5 - Maintain a list of the current performance standards. 6 - Identify any deficient areas of unit teams and initiate any necessary corrective or remedial training. 7 - Properly maintain the department's canine facilities and equipment. 8 - Make recommendations to the unit supervisor regarding the performance of teams within the unit. C - Supervisor Responsibilities The responsibilities of the unit supervisor include, but are not ] limited to, the following: 1 - Be directly accountable to the division commander on all canine related matters. 2 - Be responsible for the overall operation of the canine unit. 3 - Meet periodically with other supervisors and unit members to insure that the unit is operating efficiently. 4 - Insure that a secure kennel and pad are properly constructed and maintained at each handlers residence. 5 - Assign requests for public demonstrations, scheduling on on-call teams and a current emergency call-out list for communications. 6 - Review and maintain a file of all canine unit reports to insure adherence to departmental guidelines and complete an annual report for the Chief of Police. 7 - Confer with other supervisors and the unit trainer in the selection of unit personnel. 8 - Confer with the unit trainer in the selection of perspective canines and the evaluation of the units teams. 9 - Prepare evaluations for unit members. 10 - Make duty assignments for unit members based on the needs of the department. 11 - Periodically inspect all assigned equipment of unit members to insure that it is being properly maintained. 12 - Insure that canine teams are being trained to and maintaining the desired level of proficiency. This shall include the removal from duty the teams that fail to achieve the standards of performance after corrective or remedial training. 13 - Assist in the unit training program by: A - Assisting the unit trainer as necessary. B - Assuring that handlers are performing the necessary training work as prescribed by the unit trainer. C - Apprise the unit trainer of any training areas that need addressed. 14 - Review work performance of unit members and identify any areas that may need improvement. 15 - Insure that there is adequate and secure space for the storage of unit equipment. 16 - Responsible for a yearly inventory of all training aids to insure adequate control and supply. Section IV A - Duties Canine teams will be assigned general patrol duties as directed by the unit supervisor. The general duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 1 - Working hours and assignments may vary according to the needs of the department. Canine teams shall be made available, on an on-call basis, twenty four hours per day to provide assistance. 2 - Canine units shall neither be assigned a specific district nor dispatched as a primary unit unless need dictates otherwise. Canine units shall be dispatched as an assisting unit, when necessary, with the ability to return to service and respond elsewhere quickly. Canine units shall be dispatched on all crimes in progress or ones that have just occurred as well as calls to assist the officer. Canine units shall respond on other calls for service (alarms, prowlers, vehicle checks etc.) which could eventually require the need for a police canine. 3 - Canine units shall be assigned to work 5 (7 hour) shifts with one day per week, determined by the unit supervisor, reserved for training. Unit members shall only be dispatched on canine related calls for service during the training day unless need dictates otherwise. One hour per work day is reserved for care of the assigned canine. B - Canine Deployment The following reflect general guidelines for the deployment of canine teams: 1 - In all instances that a police service dog is deployed it shall be within departmental guidelines, federal, state and local statutes. 2 - The following situations reflect suitable activities for team deployment but shall not limit their use when deemed appropriate by the handler. A - Building searches where there is a possibility of a suspect hidden inside or large structures where search time would otherwise be extensive. B - Searches of open areas for criminal suspects who are actively eluding capture and pose an immediate risk of safety to officers or citizens. C - Tracks for criminal suspects who are actively eluding capture and pose an immediate risk of safety to officers or citizens. D - on lead scouts for possible suspects or evidence in the area. (Note: The handler shall consider the seriousness of the suspected offense prior to deployment) E - Searches for articles of evidence (weapons, narcotics, explosives etc.) or other property that may be of value in a criminal case. F - Searches for missing persons and tactical situations as approved by the unit supervisor. 3 - The canine shall be confined to the patrol vehicle or kennel unless under the direct supervision of the handler. Canine vehicle windows may be left open, while actively engaged in patrol duties, to allow the canine to enter/exit the vehicle. When the handler leaves the vehicle unattended, and the use of the canine is not anticipated, the vehicle shall be secured with adequate ventilation. 4 - When practical, a verbal challenge shall be give before using the canine to search off lead. The challenge shall be repeated with sufficient time allowed for a response. Officer safety or other concerns may negate the necessity for giving a verbal challenge prior to initiating the search. When possible, perimeter officers should confirm that they heard the challenge to insure that it was clearly given at an audible level. Additional challenges should be considered when searching larger structures. The verbal challenge shall include at least the following: "Police canine, surrender or we will search with a police dog." C - Management of Training Aids 1 - All training aids will be stored in locked safes. Each safe is behind a locked door and secured to the building in some fashion. Only canine unit members shall have the combination to those safes. 2 - A ledger will be maintained to document the type and quantity of training aids on hand within the unit. The location and quantity of all training aids will be known at all times. The ledger will remain secured with the safes. 3 - While aids are checked out, and in the possession of the handler, their security will be the sole responsibility of the handler. 4 - Any aid lost or damaged due to training will be reported immediately. The report shall be in written form to the unit supervisor. 5 - Any aid lost or damaged due to suspected criminal activity shall be reported immediately. The report shall be in the form of an offense report. The location of the incident shall be treated as a crime scene. 6 - Any loss of drugs will be reported to the DEA Diversion Section, by the canine unit supervisor, the next working day. Any loss of explosives will be reported to the ATF in a similar fashion. D - Emergency Procedures The following guidelines should be used by officers when a canine handler becomes incapacitated and the canine is not contained: 1 - Officers on the scene shall direct the dispatcher to contact someone from the emergency call out list and have them respond to the scene. The canine unit supervisor should also be contacted as soon as possible. 2 - Officers shall follow the directions of the handler if he/she remains conscious. 3 - If the handler loses consciousness then officers shall consider the following: A - If at all possible, await the arrival of additional canine personnel. B - Avoid direct eye contact with the dog. C - Don't excite the dog with loud noises or sudden movements D - Don't approach the handler, unless absolutely necessary, as the canine will be protective. E - Attempt to contain the canine by slowly driving the canine vehicle, or other caged vehicle, in close proximity, sound the horn, and loudly yell "kennel." F - If previous measures are not successful, protective clothing found in the canine vehicle coupled with loud noises and sudden movements will attract the canines attention. When the canine engages the protective clothing he/she may then be dragged to the awaiting vehicle or other suitable area of confinement. 4 - Destroy the canine only as a last resort and when human life is in jeopardy. Section V A - Initial and In-Service Training Training is divided into two categories: 1 - Initial Training - from selection of the dog and handler to the initial certification of the team. 2 - In-Service Training - continuous training from the teams initial certification to the retirement of a team member. The initial training will be done on a full time basis (40 hours per week minimum) under the direction of the unit trainer. This will continue until the team meets or exceeds the performance standards. Initial training may be terminated when, in the opinion of the unit supervisor and trainer, one or both members of a team are not going to be able to achieve the performance standards in a reasonable time frame. In-service training shall also be conducted under the direction of the unit trainer. Each handler shall participate and document a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training bi-monthly. Exceptions may be made for absences such as vacation or illness. Extended absences shall require the approval of the unit trainer and supervisor prior to the team returning to service. The in-service training time shall be spent working on increased proficiency, improved tactics, new environments, certifications, competitions or other areas as directed by the unit trainer. Each team shall receive a minimum of 40 hours per year of outside specialized training (conferences, seminars, competitions, certifications etc.). This will help insure that all canine teams are kept abreast of current trends, practices and training techniques. B - Performance Standards All department canine teams shall certify according to the performance standards prior to being assigned for duty. After being assigned for duty, teams shall demonstrate proficiency by meeting the performance standards at least once annually. A list of current performance standards for the department shall be kept on file by the unit trainer. Current performance standards for recognized professional associations and facilities shall also be kept on file by the unit trainer.