Boca Raton Police Services Department Use Of Canines PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.250 USE OF CANINES Revised: December 4, 2017 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish a policy and procedure for the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s use of canines, and to provide information to all...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.250 USE OF CANINES Revised: December 4, 2017 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish a policy and procedure for the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s use of canines, and to provide information to all personnel concerning the training and capabilities of the K-9 Unit. II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Department to provide highly trained and capable K-9 teams to assist patrol and specialized units as needed. III. DEFINITIONS: Canine: A working class dog which has been procured and specially trained to execute a number of specific tasks which make use of the dog's attributes, such as speed, agility and sense of smell. K-9 Handler: A law enforcement officer (LEO) specially trained in the care, handling, and training of a K-9 for law enforcement use. K-9 Team: A single K-9 handler and a canine. K-9 Unit: A group of K-9 teams that uses the services and abilities of trained dogs for assisting police officers in various duties and tasks consistent with written directives. Standard Verbal Warning: A verbal alert issued at the scene of an incident prior to a K-9 search, which contains, at a minimum, an identification of the police K-9 team, an order for all occupants to identify and surrender themselves immediately, and a warning that the canine will bite. IV. GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CANINES: A. K-9 TEAM USAGE: 14.11 1. K-9 teams shall be dispatched primarily to calls where the specialized training of the K-9 handler and the canine will prove beneficial, including, but not limited to the following situations: a. A crime is in progress and the possibility exists of containing the suspects within a building or given area. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 1 of 8 b. A crime has just occurred, the suspect may have fled on foot, and a track must be made to discover the movements of the suspect or discover evidence. c. As a back-up unit to potentially violent calls. 2. Due to their specialized capabilities, K-9 teams should not be used, except when necessary, for the following assignments: a. Traffic control b. Crashes c. Late reported crimes or incidents d. Zone assignments 3. The shift supervisor must approve all requests for K-9 team call outs, but actual use and application of the K-9 team shall be at the discretion of the individual K-9 handler. 4. K-9 handlers will inform the Communications Section when they are responding to a scene. 5. All K-9 handlers, regardless of their specialty, shall document any deployment on a Canine Usage Report. B. INITIAL LEO’S RESPONSE: 1. The initial responding LEO’s responsibilities during a search include the following: a. Keep the scene clear of all non-essential personnel b. Notify a supervisor c. Call for additional units to secure the perimeter blocking all routes of escape, in a box-like perimeter that is as visible as possible d. Gather essential information the K-9 handler will need upon arrival to include: Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 i. Type of offense ii. Suspect description iii. Direction of travel iv. Time delay Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 2 of 8 C. AREA SEARCHES: 1. When an area needs to be searched for evidence or persons, the K-9 handler shall perform the following tasks: a. Contact the LEO in charge at the scene prior to commencing a search b. Establish that a criminal offense for which an arrest is allowed has been committed, obtain a description of the offender(s) and verify the perimeter before initiating a search c. Speak to witnesses, if available, to gather information that would aid in determining a possible direction of travel of the suspect d. Make a check of the surrounding area to locate discarded evidence, if a track cannot be established at the scene e. Communicate with participating personnel regarding the K-9 team’s status. 2. When searching an enclosed area or fenced in open area, the K-9 handler may conduct the search without a lead if the following criteria can be met: a. The area is sufficiently small that the K-9 handler can keep reasonable visual contact with his/her canine at all times b. The fence or wall surrounding the area has been visually checked to ensure that the canine cannot get out and that it is high enough that the dog cannot readily jump over it c. The K-9 handler has made every reasonable effort to ensure that no authorized persons are within the area and has given the Standard Verbal Warning. D. BUILDING SEARCHES: 1. LEO RESPONSIBILITIES IN BUILDING SEARCHES: a. When a responding LEO believes that a suspect could be hidden within a building, the LEO shall accomplish the following: i. Request back-up LEOs to secure the building and all possible exits to ensure that no one enters ii. Request that Communications Section personnel call for a business representative to respond to the scene. b. LEOs shall not enter the building except under the following circumstances, and under the command of a supervisor: Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 3 of 8 i. The K-9 handler has given permission ii. A K-9 handler is injured or the K-9 team is unaccounted for and cannot be raised by radio c. LEOs should evaluate the circumstances before entering an area or building to assist the K-9 handler, as the canine will attempt to keep anyone from coming near the handler. 2. K-9 HANDLER’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN BUILDING SEARCHES: a. When a responding LEO believes that a suspect could be hidden within a building, the K-9 handler shall achieve the following: i. Determine that the building has been properly secured. ii. Issue at least two Standard Verbal Warnings in a loud, clear voice unless issuing the warnings would jeopardize officer safety. a) The suspect will be given an opportunity to surrender, physically or verbally, after each warning, before deployment of the canine, or before entering the building. b) The K-9 handler will make the warning on each floor. iii. Enter the building with the canine alone or with any assistance requested. a) Search the interior of any building using the canine's ability to locate the concentrated scent of a hidden suspect. b) The search may be done off lead when the K-9 handler reasonably believes that a criminal offense has been committed for which the offender could be arrested and that the offender is within the building to be searched. iv. Maintain radio communication with LEOs outside, giving the K-9 team’s status, location and any other pertinent information. v. E. Make every effort to stay as close to the canine as possible. TRACKING SUSPECTS: 1. The same responsibilities exist as in an area search. 2. K-9 teams will follow the ground scent that the suspect has left while in flight. 3. In tracking situations the canine will be on lead, and the tracking harness or appropriate working collar will be in place. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 4 of 8 F. CRIMINAL APPREHENSION: 1. The canine can be used to apprehend a suspect when physical force is necessary to subdue a subject, and when the use of physical force is legal and proper. 2. Only the force necessary will be used in effecting all arrests and handling all situations. 3. The Department shall employ, but shall not be limited to, the following guidelines regarding the use of a canine to apprehend a suspect: a. When protecting or rescuing the K-9 handler or other LEOs from danger. b. To apprehend fleeing felons who refuse to stop c. To apprehend hiding suspects whom the K-9 handler believes present a threat of harm to himself/herself, other LEOs or civilians. 4. A Standard Verbal Warning shall be issued before initiating canine actions unless issuing the warning would jeopardize officer safety. 5. If the canine indicates the possible presence of a hidden offender, the K-9 handler will make every effort to effect the apprehension without a dog bite. a. If the circumstances permit, the handler will give the Standard Verbal Warning to afford the offender an opportunity to surrender. b. If the offender ignores the order or refuses to surrender, the handler will coordinate the apprehension with the back-up officer. 6. The canine will not be used for an apprehension in any situation where innocent bystanders are placed in jeopardy, such as the following: a. A suspect flees into a group of people b. There are other people between the fleeing suspect and the canine c. Other people are in the area and may flee when the canine is unleashed and attract the dog’s attention d. A large-scale fight where the canine will not know whom to apprehend. 7. Whenever possible, the K-9 handler shall advise all other LEOs present or responding to the scene via the radio that he/she is unleashing the dog for an apprehension or search. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 5 of 8 G. CROWD CONTROL: 1. LEOs should use canine’s for crowd control only when an apparent threat or danger exists by the crowd to the LEOs or innocent bystanders and only under the following guidelines: a. The K-9 handler shall obtain approval by the watch commander unless exigent circumstances require the immediate deployment of the dog. b. Avenues of escape must be open to the crowd before being advanced on by the K-9 team. c. Canines will be leashed in a crowd control situation on a six-foot leash attached to the collar while advancing. d. Canines will not be used to remove spectators from a crime scene or any other non-violent gathering. e. All LEOs on scene or responding shall return to or remain in their vehicles unless otherwise instructed by the K-9 handler. f. K-9 handlers shall issue the Standard Verbal Warning before initiating canine actions unless issuing verbal warnings would jeopardize officer safety. H. EXPLOSIVE DETECTION: 1. The explosive detection canine should be used to assist the Bomb Squad in detecting explosives, suspicious packages, and bomb threats. 2. The building or area to be searched must be evacuated before the canine is used. 3. Responding LEOs must obtain as much information as possible regarding the bomb threat. 4. The explosive detection canine cannot be used to search single suspicious packages. I. NARCOTIC DETECTION: 1. A narcotic detection canine should be used in the detection of narcotics. 2. The narcotic detection canine will be used at the discretion of the K-9 handler, based on his knowledge of laws regarding its use. 3. In the event a narcotic canine is needed but none is on-duty, the responding LEO will notify the on-duty supervisor who will decide whether or not to call out a narcotic K9 team. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 6 of 8 V. CONDUCT AROUND THE K-9 TEAM: A. Since canines are trained to react to certain situations in a particular manner regardless of the individual confronting the canine or the K-9 handler; the following guidelines shall be adhered to when individuals are in the same proximity as the K-9 team: 1. Because the canine is taught to protect the K-9 handler at all times, no one should walk up to a K-9 handler in the presence of the canine, not even to give him/her a friendly slap on the back or to shake hands as the canine may take this friendly act as a threat to the K-9 handler. 2. The canine should never be approached or petted without the approval of the K9 handler. 3. The canine should never be teased or agitated, except in K-9 handler approved scenarios. 4. Whenever the canine is unleashed for an apprehension or search, employees should remain in or return to their vehicles until directed by the K-9 handler. 5. The K-9 handler’s instructions should be carefully adhered to whenever the canine is being used and under all circumstances pertaining to conduct around the animal. 6. No one should attempt to enter or remove any articles from a K-9 vehicle when the dog is inside the vehicle. VI. REQUEST FOR K-9 UNIT ASSISTANCE BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES: A. The following guidelines will ensure that the K-9 Unit assists other police agencies in a timely and effective manner while still protecting the City of Boca Raton. B. When an outside agency requests the assistance of a BRPSD K-9 team, the following steps will be taken: 1. As per Department policy, the K-9 handler will request the permission of a supervisor prior to leaving the City. 2. Upon arrival at the scene of the call and prior to the commencement of any search, the K-9 handler will take the following steps: a. Contact the highest-ranking LEO on the scene from the requesting agency. b. Ascertain from the LEO the full facts surrounding the need for a K-9 team. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 7 of 8 c. Determine if the use of a Department K-9 team is appropriate according to BRPSD policy. i. If it is not, the K-9 handler will explain to the officer in charge why the canine cannot be used. ii. If there is still a question, the K-9 handler will contact a BRPSD on-duty supervisor to respond to the scene and resolve the conflict. iii. The supervisor can, at his/her discretion, refuse service to the other agency and return the K-9 team to the City if the search does not meet the criteria. iv. The K-9 handler shall advise the LEO in charge that prior to beginning the search, the requesting agency will have to agree to abide by all BRPSD K-9 directives, including but not limited to medical treatment standards. v. Upon receiving assurance that the policy will be adhered to, the K-9 handler will commence the search. a) If the requesting agency LEO refuses to abide by this policy, the K-9 team will not be used and a supervisor will be contacted to resolve the issue. b) If, during the search, a suspect is bitten and there is an unreasonable delay, generally more than 15 minutes, in receiving medical attention, the K-9 handler will again advise the LEO in charge of the policy. c) If the outside agency still fails to comply with the request, a supervisor will be called to the scene to resolve the problem. d) If a dog bite results from a usage out of agency jurisdiction, a BRPSD supervisor will be notified and they will properly document the incident as outlined in Standard Operating Procedure 41.10 K-9 Unit. A Use of Force Report and other applicable reports will be completed. VII. PUBLIC RELATIONS: A. The chief of police or his/her designee must authorize all public relations demonstrations. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: December 4, 2017 Date: Use of Canines Directive No. 41.250 Page 8 of 8