Patrol & The Police K9

A Manual for Back-up Officers & Supervisors

OBJECTIVE

To be used as an informational source for officers and supervisors on the deployment of the Police service dog (K9). The role of the back up Officer. Preservation of the search scene. Positioning of perimeter officers. Officer safety steps.

Many officers believe that they are just accompanying the k9 team. Officers should be focused on their surroundings, and assume radio control during deployment. The Officer should be alert and prepared to deal with a threat or to assist in the custody process of a suspect. As the handler may be out flanked or out numbered by multiple suspects.

This outline will guide officers and supervisors in the deployment of the k9-team and emphasize the role of the back-up officer and the options a k9 team provides during patrol/tactical operations.

Tracking

The first officer on scene should gather all necessary information about the suspect. A thorough description of the suspect should be obtained. The knowledge of any and all weapons should be ascertained. If the suspect is known, his criminal background should be explored so the handler has an idea of the type of suspect he/she is tracking and past criminal actions i/e (convicted violent felon). This information will aid in the use of force continuum.

Every effort possible should be made to preserve the suspect’s path of flight, as human track odor is similar to fingerprinting. By allowing others to walk over the suspects track may cause contamination to the suspects scent. This is a very crucial area especially when the K9 team is attempting to locate a suspect’s odor from a particular start point.

Backing the Tracking K9 Team

The Officer that backs the K9 team should make an honest assessment of their physical capability to keep up with the team. After that assessment is made, the back up should realize that he/she is the primary tool for advising dispatch and surrounding units of the k9 teams location and direction of travel. A perimeter should be in place and should move in conjunction to the location of the k9 team, to aid in the apprehension of the suspect if is flushed out from hiding by the approaching team.

The back-up officer should follow the tracking team at a distance of not less than 15 feet, but no further than 20 feet. When the k9 team comes to a stop the back up should also stop listen and scan, as the handler and k9 may be attempting to locate the suspects track across the ground surface or at an intersection.

Communication is a must. The back-up officer should relay any and all pertinent information to the handler. Don’t assume the handler can see what you see. Advise the handler of what you have sight of and provide a physical description of that target. There may be a time when both the handler and back up have visual sight of a suspect, but the suspects may be two different people.

The back up should constantly scan the area as the k9-handlers entire attention is on what the dog is telling him/her. If the handler advises the back-up officer that the k9 is in the "scent cone" or "contact", the back up officer should be alerted that the suspect may be able to see you, but may not be visible to the k9-team.

If a suspect is located the back-up officer becomes the arresting/contact officer and should make all verbal commands to the suspect, unless the k9 has made a physical apprehension. In which case stay clear of the in custody process and let the hander call the shots.

Area Searches – Wooded

When the K9 team is conducting a search into a wood line, a parallel line perimeter should be placed along the wood line. Officers should not enter the search area. The perimeter posts should be at least 50 yards. Apart. The perimeter officers should have a clear sight to the left and right perimeter post, and have a good view in the event the suspect exits the search area, and reduce the odor contamination factor.

The k9 team may make a verbal announcement of the intent to deploy the k9, upon no response by the suspect; the k9 team will deploy the k9 into the search area. Based on the depth of the suspect into the wood line Officers may advance the parallel perimeter into the wood line at the direction of the handler. The perimeter should remain about 40 feet behind the handler’s position so he/she may have a clear view of the k9. In the event the k9 has target lock on one of the perimeter officers.

If the k9 locates a suspect and begins barking to alert the suspect’s position, officers should be careful not to immediately rush into the target area. Use cover and a formulated plan should be in place detailing who will be the contact officer and what you will do upon contact with the suspect. The suspect may be armed and concealed.

The possibly armed suspect may also be hidden in a tree or a high find, which would give him a tactical advantage over the approaching officers. Use sound tactics and communicate as the suspects may always see you long before you see them. At night, be cognizant about using your flashlight as your location is projected to the suspect several yards in front of you. Use your flashlight intermittently. Keep your portable turned down as low as possible. Always scan the area you are walking in before advancing, do not forget to check the tree lines.

Officers should inquire about the particular k9’s alert to a suspect. So officers will know what to be listening for and in the event such alert is heard the officer will notify the handler ASAP.

Area Searches – Industrial

If the K9 team is conducting an industrial search, a perimeter of the area should be in place. Officers should be positioned in a large square format and have visible sight of the cornering perimeter post. Officers should be aware of the available areas of concealment in this environment.

Even after the k9 has made a thorough search of the area, officers should formulate an entry team to accompany the handler for the second, hands on search. Officers should direct the k9, into crawl spaces, and concealment areas, prior to entry. The k9 should always be used to clear areas prior to advancement.

If a suspect is located by the k9, Officers should take cover and initiate verbal contact with the suspect. Officers should establish the suspect’s verbal intent to surrender. The suspect should be asked to come out of his/her concealed position, walking back wards toward the sound of your voice.

If and when the handler decides to recall the k9, the verbal commands should relayed to the suspect by an assisting officer. An officer will be deemed the contact officer while the k9 team will be the cover.

If the suspect attempts to flee upon your approach, do not give chase, stop your movement and allow for the k9 to make the apprehension. Officers should not rush into the target area until it is determined that the suspect has surrendered and that area is clear of additional suspects and is deemed safe.

Building Searches – Residential

When faced with an open door or forced door on a residence, Officers should immediately move to a position of cover. Advise dispatch and request additional units for a perimeter around the residence. Utilize available cover. Upon the k9 teams arrival on scene, he/she should be met at the roadway and advised of your findings.

The handler may need additional equipment from the cruiser and this would be an excellent opportunity to grab it prior to deployment. While the handler gives cover an additional officer should swing open the entry door.

After announcing the intent to deploy the dog, the k9 will be instructed to search the residence. Officers will wait out side on the perimeter. In the case that the k9 has located a suspect in the residence Officers should not rush into the residence, but a formulated plan should be in place on who will remain on the perimeter post and who will enter with the k9 team.

Just because the k9 team has located a suspect in another part of the house, Officers should clear rooms and closets prior to the target point.

To prevent ambush and injury to the officers. If the k9 has made physical contact with a suspect officers should establish verbal command. The suspect’s intent to surrender should be established. The k9 Officer may call the dog off the apprehension. At which point a back up Officer will now give the commands to the suspect, while the k9 team has cover.

After the suspect is taken into custody the k9 should be used to research the residence for additional suspects. Officers then will make a walk through and the residence should be deemed secured.

Building Searches – Commercial

The tactics used in the above residential search apply here. The difference is that on each floor the search should start from the beginning, Treat each floor as a residence. The handler will make announcements on each floor. The k9 will be used to clear rooms as the entry team clears the building, unless a suspect is located. The above steps should be followed upon the location of a suspect.

Felony Suspects – Vehicles

During high-risk felony stops the k9 becomes an important tool. The risk of flight by the driver and the ability of the k9 to clear the vehicle are very important. In the world of K9 we know that were are interested on the driver of the vehicle, Unless there are known charges for other occupants. The k9 Officer will act as cover for the stop and should be positioned as to have to best view from behind cover, of the driver’s side of the vehicle.

In the event the driver attempts to flee from the vehicle officers should not give chase. Officers should be aware that there is a k9 on scene and allow the K9 to run past the un-cleared (threat) vehicle and make the apprehension. Never get between the suspect and K9.

Officers should remain behind cover, as the threat of the other occupants in the vehicle is unknown. Officers should establish the suspect’s verbal intent to surrender. When the k9 officer decides to recall his/her dog, another officer should give commands to the suspect.

Once the suspect is in custody, the other visible subjects should be removed from the vehicle. The doors of the vehicle should be left open by the exiting suspects, so the k9 can safely enter the vehicle and clear it before Officers enter the threat zone.

Building Searches – On Foot

When Officers come have visible sight of a felony or wanted suspect certain steps should be taken to ensure a safe apprehension. The initial Officer should advise dispatch of his/her findings. The Officer shall ensure that the warrants or charges on the suspect are valid. The Officer should request a silent approach by responding Officers to perimeter containment positions, out of sight of the suspect. The k9 officer may approach the suspect from the cover of the cruiser or may also take a containment post.

In this setting it is best to let the k9 Officer make the verbal announcements to the suspect as the handler needs to get target lock on the suspect with the k9. In the event the suspect flees, Officers should remain behind cover. Officers are encouraged not to give chase after the suspect, as they may become the target of the incoming k9. The k9 Officer may choose to leave the k9 on the bite until the suspect is handcuffed for officer safety reasons. i/e the suspect is known to be armed and dangerous.

Closing

Hopefully this outline will aid Officers in the use of your departments or assisting agency’s K9 teams. While this manual does not cover every scenario one might encounter, the basics will remain the same. Officers should communicate, use available cover, and utilize basic contact officer and cover officer tactics. Utilize the k9 to assume the risks so Officers may live. Also be cognizant of your departments rules and regulations when employing these tactics.