NCJ Number
138665
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 19 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: 30-32,47
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the work of police dogs and suggests steps for instituting a K-9 program in a police department.
Abstract
Using actual examples where police dogs were effective in the performance of some aspect of police work, this article profiles the range of work that can be performed by police dogs. This includes tracking suspects from crime scenes to their residences or hiding places; subduing suspects who resist arrest; and sniffing out explosives, drugs, arson accelerants, hidden firearms at crime scenes, dead bodies, and lost persons. In determining whether or not to establish a K-9 unit, a police department should contact other departments that already have K-9 units to ask about the advantages and the disadvantages. These include the costs of establishing and maintaining the unit and what can and cannot be done with a K-9. The department should determine whether or not it needs its own unit or can secure dogs on loan on an "as needed" basis from a nearby K-9 unit. Should a department determine that it needs its own unit, it should ensure that the creation of the unit will be universally supported by all line and command personnel, government officials, and the public. Training programs offered by both commercial trainers and police agencies who train K-9's and handlers should be examined. A contact person is cited for obtaining additional information on K-9 teams.