SOP 227 - Police Canine.pdf

HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT SOP #227 POLICE CANINE ORIGINATION DATE: 11/01/2001 REVISED D...

HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT SOP #227 POLICE CANINE ORIGINATION DATE: 11/01/2001 REVISED DATE: 05/08/2019 APPROVED: CHIEF OF POLICE, JEFF DEVLIN PURPOSE: To establish criteria for the operation and deployment of Canine (K-9) Officers. SCOPE: This SOP applies to all Members of the Department. POLICY: Police Canines are a valuable resource for use in criminal apprehension, evidence detection, and for promoting favorable public relations. It is the policy of the Hollywood Police Department to deploy Canine Teams. INDEX: PROCEDURE:.............................................................................................................................................. 2 I. WORK SCHEDULE AND CALL OUT PROCEDURES......................................................................... 2 A. ON DUTY:............................................................................................................................................ 2 B. OFF DUTY:........................................................................................................................................... 3 II. FIELD USES OF POLICE CANINE....................................................................................................... 3 A. SUPERVISORS:..................................................................................................................................... 3 B. ROUTINE BACKUPS:.............................................................................................................................. 3 C. IN-PROGRESS CALLS FOR SERVICE:...................................................................................................... 3 III. APPREHENSION................................................................................................................................... 3 A. USE OF FORCE:.................................................................................................................................... 3 B. PROHIBITED USE OF CANINE:................................................................................................................ 3 IV. BUILDING SEARCHES......................................................................................................................... 3 A. RESPONDING OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES:.......................................................................................... 3 B. CANINE’S RESPONSIBILITIES AT A BUILDING SEARCH:............................................................................. 4 V. AREA SEARCHES................................................................................................................................. 4 A. OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES:............................................................................................................... 4 B. CANINE HANDLER’S RESPONSIBILITIES:................................................................................................. 4 VI. SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS............................................................................................... 5 A. SITUATIONS FOR USE OF NON-AGGRESSIVE SEARCH DOGS:.................................................................. 5 B. GUIDELINES:........................................................................................................................................ 5 SOP #227 Police Canine Page 1 of 8  C. NOTIFICATION:...................................................................................................................................... 5 VII. TRAILING OR TRACKING.................................................................................................................... 5 A. CONSIDERATION FACTORS:................................................................................................................... 5 B. RESPONSIBILITIES:............................................................................................................................... 5 VIII. FOOT PURSUITS................................................................................................................................... 6 A. PURSUING OFFICER.............................................................................................................................. 6 B. CANINE OFFICER.................................................................................................................................. 6 IX. VEHICLE PURSUITS............................................................................................................................. 6 A. UTILIZATION:........................................................................................................................................ 6 B. DISPATCH NOTIFICATION:...................................................................................................................... 6 X. OTHER AGENCY REQUESTS.............................................................................................................. 6 A. LEGAL:................................................................................................................................................. 6 B. REQUEST GUIDELINES:......................................................................................................................... 6 XI. EXPLOSIVE DETECTION CANINES.................................................................................................... 6 A. OFFICER REQUESTS:............................................................................................................................ 6 B. OFFICER BRIEFING:.............................................................................................................................. 7 C. PURPOSE............................................................................................................................................. 7 D. SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES:....................................................................................................................... 7 E. SWEEPS AND BOMB THREATS:.............................................................................................................. 7 F. STORAGE............................................................................................................................................. 7 XII. PUBLIC RELATIONS............................................................................................................................ 7 A. PUBLIC APPEARANCES.......................................................................................................................... 7 B. ACCIDENTAL INJURIES:......................................................................................................................... 7 XIII. OFFICER CONDUCT AROUND THE CANINE..................................................................................... 8 A. CONDUCT:............................................................................................................................................ 8 B. CANINE VEHICLES:............................................................................................................................... 8 C. FLORIDA STATUTE AND CITY ORDINANCE:............................................................................................. 8 XIV.VEHICLE HEAT ALARM....................................................................................................................... 8 XV. DEFINITIONS:........................................................................................................................................ 8 A. CANINE:............................................................................................................................................. 8 B. CANINE HANDLER:........................................................................................................................... 8 PROCEDURE: I. WORK SCHEDULE AND CALL OUT PROCEDURES A. On Duty: The Canine Unit Sergeant will be responsible for providing a work schedule for the Canine Unit. Assignments will be based upon operational needs of the Department. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 2 of 8  B. Off Duty: All Canine Units are subject for call-out. 1. The Canine Unit Sergeant will provide the Teletype Unit with a call-out schedule. 2. The Unit Sergeant will be notified of any Canine call-out. 3. The Unit Sergeant and/or Shift Lieutenant will be notified of a Canine Unit’s change in duty status. 4. A Shift Lieutenant or Unit Sergeant may call-out a Canine Unit when necessary. 5. If a Canine Handler responding to a call-out determines that an additional Canine Unit is needed, he may summon additional assistance with a Supervisors approval. II. FIELD USES OF POLICE CANINE A. Supervisors: Canine Units are deployed at the discretion of the Unit Supervisor or in his absence, the on-scene Supervisor. Canine Handler input will be considered. B. Routine Backups: It is the responsibility of each Canine Handler to maintain radio awareness and to assist other units as needed. C. In-Progress Calls for Service: The Canine Supervisor will be responsible for the tactical portion of any incident in which a Canine team is deployed. In the event the Canine Supervisor is not working, a Patrol Supervisor will be responsible for the entire scene. Canine Handlers will respond to all Canine calls for service. III. APPREHENSION A. Use of Force: The Hollywood Police Department’s Response to Resistance SOP #200 will govern the deployment of a Canine to include: 1. Handlers will make a reasonable attempt to effect arrests without the arrestee incurring a Dog bite. 2. The use of a Certified Canine will be consistent with a non-lethal weapons response option to resistance within the Force Guidelines (see SOP #200 Response to Resistance). B. Prohibited Use of Canine: Canine should not be used under the following circumstances: 1. For any misdemeanor related crimes, unless the perpetrator demonstrates threatening actions toward the public. 2. To apprehend known juveniles wanted for anything other than violent felonies. 3. To apprehend a known mentally ill person, unless the subjects actions pose a physical threat to the general public. Such deployment will be determined at the discretion of the Shift Lieutenant. IV. BUILDING SEARCHES A. Responding Officers’ Responsibilities: At the scene of a building search, the Officer will: 1. Determine the likelihood that the suspect is still present on scene. 2. Secure the location to keep the suspect from escaping the perimeter. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 3 of 8  3. Request emergency transmission (10-33) and move the transmission to an open monitored channel. 4. Do not contaminate the location to be searched. a. Safety to innocent occupants is always the first concern, b. Avoid unnecessary searching of the area to prevent contamination of the suspect’s scent. c. Attempt to secure the area by staying within the Police Vehicle if possible. 5. Advise a Supervisor of the situation and request the assistance of a Canine Unit. 6. Once a Canine Team is deployed inside the building, it is the perimeter Officer’s responsibility to prevent any other persons from entering the building, i.e. Representatives, Key holders, until advised to do so by the Canine Officer. B. Canine’s Responsibilities at a Building Search: At the scene of a building search, the Canine Handler will coordinate the Canine operation with on scene personnel. 1. Assist with the determination on how to conduct the search based on; a. Time of day. b. Evidence of force entry. c. Danger to the Canine Handler, Canine, or other Officers. d. Type and size of the building. e. Possibility of innocent people inside. 2. No one is allowed inside the building during a Canine search. If a second Officer is needed, the searching Canine Handler will request appropriate assistance. 3. The Canine Handler has the responsibility for ensuring that the on-scene Supervisor is advised of updates throughout the duration of the search. 4. The Canine Handler will ensure that the Canine does not exit the building until it is on-lead. The Canine Handler should be aware of all possible exit points. V. AREA SEARCHES Area searches are outdoor searches in which Canine is deployed in a set pattern utilizing the wind to locate the suspect's airborne scent or articles, pursuing it to its source. A. Officers’ Responsibilities: At the scene of an area search, the officer will: 1. Make every attempt to stay within the police vehicle while on a perimeter position. 2. Ensure the police vehicle is positioned in such a manner to allow for a clear view in two directions. The officer should be able to see two additional perimeter officers. 3. The perimeter officer should make every attempt to keep bystanders on foot and bicycle out of the perimeter. B. Canine Handler’s Responsibilities: Canine Handler’s at an area search will: 1. Coordinate outer search boundaries with the on-scene supervisor and the subsequent pattern and tactics required. 2. Conduct the search on lead. The only exception would be when the search area is completely surrounded by a restrictive barrier. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 4 of 8  3. Be responsible for giving regular updates so the on-scene Supervisor can adjust the perimeter of the area searched and resources accordingly. 4. Coordinate the conclusion of the search with the on-scene Supervisor. VI. SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS Several Agencies provide Bloodhound or other non-aggressive Canines for use in specific situations. A. Situations for use of Non-Aggressive Search Dogs: 1. Missing children or lost persons. 2. Criminal tracking. 3. Tracking escapees. B. Guidelines: If the Supervisor on scene of an incident believes the use of a non-aggressive search dog is necessary, a request will be made via the Shift Lieutenant. C. Notification: If a non-aggressive dog is necessary, the Shift Lieutenant will make the final decision. The Shift Lieutenant must make a formal request, over the telephone. The following agencies can assist with providing a Bloodhound or Non-aggressive tracking canine. 1. Medley Police Department 305-883-2047 2. State Department of Corrections 407-245-0840 3. The Jimmy Rice Foundation 800-790-3813 4. Broward Sheriff’s Office VII. TRAILING OR TRACKING Trailing is a method of locating a fleeing criminal by following a combination of human wind borne scent as well as ground scent. A. Consideration Factors: The following factors will be considered during trailing or tracking: 1. Canine should be deployed as soon as possible as success depends upon available scent. Though Canines have been known to track scents for up to twenty-four hours, time lapse and area contamination reduce the amount of scent available and may prevent a successful mission. 2. Canine is usually more successful trailing in grass or brush as human scent adheres readily to these surfaces. Paved or gravel areas and overpowering scents, like recently applied fertilizers, burnt grass, or heavy chemical concentrations may impede a Canine's ability to trail. 3. Human scent remains active longest on a cool moist surface. Direct sunlight, extreme dry ground, or excessive rain dissolves scent rapidly and makes tracking difficult. B. Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Canine Unit and Officers during trailing or tracking are the same as building and area searches. Our main concern is the safety of the citizens in the area. Extreme caution should be taken to avoid contact with Canine or contamination of the scene by citizens and animals in the area. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 5 of 8 VIII. FOOT PURSUITS A. Pursuing Officer If an Officer should lose sight of a suspect during a foot pursuit, the officer should: a. Stop and maintain his position, advising via police radio of their position and the last known direction of travel of the suspect. b. Not contaminate the area by walking and searching for the suspect before the arrival of Canine. c. Maintain the position to prevent the suspect from “BACK-TRACKING”. d. Advise the Canine Handler of the last known location of the suspect. B. Canine Officer Prior to releasing the Canine, and through-out the pursuit, the Canine Handler will make every attempt to insure that no innocent civilians or other Officers are placed in a vulnerable position. IX. VEHICLE PURSUITS Canine Handlers may engage in vehicular pursuits that are authorized per Department SOP #205 Emergency and Police Vehicle Pursuit Operations. A. Utilization: A Canine Unit will be utilized in a primary or support capacity so they can be readily available for tracking and apprehending suspects. B. Dispatch Notification: Dispatch will advise involved units via radio transmission of the presence of a Canine Unit who is involved in the pursuit. Should the suspects exit the vehicle and flee on foot, officers should not position themselves between the suspects and the canine. X. OTHER AGENCY REQUESTS A. Legal: Requests for Canine assistance from other Law Enforcement Agencies may be granted in accordance with SOP #145 Mutual Aid. B. Request Guidelines: The following guidelines will be considered when responding to a request for Canine from an outside Agency. 1. The request for assistance will be cleared through the Shift Lieutenant. 2. The Shift Lieutenant will consider Hollywood’s staffing and needs prior to authorization. 3. When utilizing the Canine under the Mutual Aid agreement, the Canine Handler will be responsible for adhering to the Policies of the Hollywood Police Department. Any conflicts with the requesting Agency will be referred to the Shift Lieutenant. 4. Upon arrival at the scene of the call and prior to actual deployment, the Canine Handler will make an on-scene evaluation. XI. EXPLOSIVE DETECTION CANINES Explosive Detecting Canines are utilized to search for odors associated with explosive and destructive devices in accordance with SOP #254 Bomb Threats and Explosive Devices. A. Officer Requests: When an Officer believes that a situation exists where the utilization of an Explosive Canine is warranted, he will contact his Supervisor to request a Canine response. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 6 of 8  B. Officer Briefing: Upon arrival of an Explosive Canine, the Officer in charge of the scene will fully brief the Canine Handler of the circumstances surrounding the call. C. Purpose Explosive Detecting Canines are utilized to search for the odor of various explosives. These explosives include: 1. Black Powder (including Smokeless Black Powder) 2. C4 (Plastic Explosives) 3. FLEX X 4. DET CORD (Detonation Cord) 5. TNT 6. Dynamite 7. Additional substances may be added, or deleted as additional training is completed. D. Suspicious Packages: Explosive Detecting Canines will not search suspicious packages. Suspicious packages can only be rendered “SAFE” by a Certified Bomb Technician. Explosive Detecting Canines should be utilized to conduct searches of the immediate area to locate possible “Secondary Devices”. E. Sweeps and Bomb Threats: Explosive Detecting Canines will be utilized for “Pre-Event Sweeps” and Bomb Threats as needed. F. Storage Explosive Training Aids will be stored in an ATF approved “BOMB SAFE” within Police Facilities. Explosive Training Aids will only be removed for training purposes and will be returned immediately after training is complete. At no time will Explosive Training Aids be stored in Police Canine Vehicles. XII. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Public Appearances All requests for public demonstrations by the Canine Unit will be approved by the Chief’s Office. B. Accidental Injuries: Should a Citizen or Department Member be accidentally bitten, the following procedure will be followed: 1. The Canine Handler will immediately ensure that first aid is rendered. 2. The victim, if willing, will be transported to a hospital for proper medical attention. 3. The Canine Handler involved will prepare a detailed Mobile Field Report of the incident. 4. The injury will be photographed by I.D. along with the place of occurrence. 5. The Canine Unit Sergeant will be notified. In his absence, a Patrol Supervisor will be requested to respond to the scene. 6. The Police Department’s Legal Advisor, Risk Management and the City Manager will be forwarded all documentation. 7. An Accident/Injury Report will be completed. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 7 of 8 XIII. OFFICER CONDUCT AROUND THE CANINE A. Conduct: Canines are unable to differentiate between Sworn Members and Civilians. Therefore, the following guidelines are to be adhered to when working in the same proximity as Canine. 1. The Canine is taught to protect the Canine Handler at all times. Therefore, body contact with the Canine Handler should be avoided. 2. The Canine is never to be approached or petted without the approval of the Canine Handler. 3. If an Officer is assisting a Canine Handler, he should maintain at least a 20’ distance from the Handler, unless instructed otherwise. B. Canine Vehicles: The Canine is taught to alert and become aggressive when left alone inside of a Canine Vehicle. Officers are to avoid a parked and unattended vehicle when possible. Members will not attempt to enter or remove any article from the Canine Vehicle unless directed to do so by the handler. C. Florida Statute and City Ordinance: Florida State Statute 843.19 f.s. and City of Hollywood Ordinance 92.22 make it unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously torture, torment, beat, kick, strike, injure, disable or kill any dog used by the Police Department in its official duties or functions. XIV. VEHICLE HEAT ALARM Each Canine Vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Heat Alarm for the Canine’s protection. If the inside of the vehicle reaches an unsafe temperature, the alarm is activated. The alarm will activate the horn and light bar of the Canine vehicle. Any Officer noticing the activation of the alarm will contact the Canine Handler. If the Canine Handler is not in the immediate area, the Officer will advise Dispatch immediately, who will notify a Canine Handler via Police Radio. XV. DEFINITIONS: A. CANINE: Police Canines are professionally trained dogs used to accomplish the Police mission. B. CANINE HANDLER: A Canine Handler is a specially trained Police Officer who is teamed with a Canine. SOP #227 Police Canine Page 8 of 8