NCJ Number
54051
Date Published
1978
Length
124 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DOCUMENTS THE EXPERIENCES OF 29 OKLAHOMA POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT USE OR HAVE USED DOGS IN POLICE WORK. ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO DEPARTMENT COMPLIANCE WITH EIGHT PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL DOG PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS DEVELOPED EIGHT PRINCIPLES FOR CANINE CORPS IMPLEMENTATION AND ORGANIZATION: SECURE FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM, CAREFULLY SELECT AND TRAIN DOGS AND HANDLERS AND REGULARLY RETRAIN THE TEAMS, KENNEL DOGS AT THE HOMES OF HANDLERS, ORGANIZE DOG UNITS AS SPECIALIZED UNITS ADJUNCT TO THE PATROL DIVISION, PROVIDE HANDLERS WITH SPECIAL VEHICLES AND MODERN COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, INDOCTRINATE THE ENTIRE FORCE IN THE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF POLICE DOGS, ASSIGN DOGS TO WORK IN AREAS WHERE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CONTROL BY DOGS, AND ATTEND TO NECESSARY FEATURES OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS MAINTENANCE. DEPARTMENTS WHOSE CANINE PROGRAMS FAILED REPORTED THAT OFFICERS WERE NOT MOTIVATED TO TAKE CONSTANT CARE OF AND RETRAIN THE DOG, THEIR DOGS WERE NOT SUITED TO THE WORK, OFFICERS WERE UPSET BY DOG HAIR AND DIRT LEFT IN PATROL CARS, AND CITIES EVENTUALLY LOST INTEREST IN FUNDING DOG PROGRAMS. DEPARTMENTS WITH SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS RESPONDED THAT DOGS WERE USEFUL IN TRACKING PERSONS, TAMING VIOLENT SUSPECTS, DISPERSING RIOTOUS CROWDS, SNIFFING FOR DRUGS, AND FOR ALL-PURPOSE WORK; E.G., BURGLARY CALLS AND SEARCHING BUILDINGS. PROGRAM HINTS ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)