NCJ Number
57694
Date Published
1979
Length
92 pages
Annotation
TWO DISTINCT ERAS OF DOG USE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE IDENTIFIED, THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE OF CANINE USE IN CROWD CONTROL IS ADDRESSED, AND IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF CANINE PATROL UNITS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
EARLY DOG PATROL PROGRAMS WERE CENTERED IN THE INDUSTRIAL-COMMERCIAL EAST AND UPPER MIDWEST, AND THEY WERE MODELED ON DOG PROGRAMS USED IN BELGIUM. THE 1960'S BROUGHT A SHARP UPSURGE IN POLICE DOG USE NATIONWIDE, AND THE LATE 1970'S SAW ANOTHER BURST OF INTEREST IN POLICE DOGS. BY 1977, A TOTAL OF 632 CANINE PROGRAMS WERE OR HAD BEEN OPERATING IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT MANY EXPERIENCED A SHORT LIFESPAN DUE TO PROBLEMS OF EXPENSE, THE LOW VOLUME OF CRIME WARRANTING DOG USE, AND THE LOSS OR PROMOTION OF THE HANDLERS. POLICE DOGS ARE USED FOR BOTH ALL-PURPOSE WORK AND SPECIAL WORK (TRACKING, NARCOTICS DETECTION, BOMB AND EXPLOSIVES DETECTION). THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN EMPLOYED FOR CROWD CONTROL, A FUNCTION WHICH HAS CAUSED GREAT CONTROVERSY. IN THE 1960'S, POLICE DOGS WERE USED TO PUT DOWN CIVIL RIGHTS AND OTHER POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS (BIRMINGHAM, ALA., WOODSTOCK, N.Y., BERKELEY, CALIF.); THIS RESULTED IN GREAT DEBATE, BAD PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND LEGAL LIABILITY CASES. POLICE PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE, IN FACT, ADVISES AGAINST DOG USE IN CROWD CONTROL UNLESS THE DISPOSITION OF THE CROWD NECESSITATES SUCH MEASURES. POLICE DOG USE HAS BOTH ADVANTAGES (PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERRENT EFFECT, ABILITY TO AID OFFICERS IN CAPTURING SUSPECTS, AND ABILITY TO PROVIDE OFFICER PROTECTION) AND DISADVANTAGES (INTERFERENCE WITH ESSENTIAL POLICE DUTIES, SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS, AND POTENTIAL FOR MENACING INNOCENT PERSONS). BEFORE DEVELOPING SUCH PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENTS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER JURISDICTION NEEDS AND BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT INSURANCE AND LIABILITY PROBLEMS AND THE EXPENSE OF RUNNING SUCH A PROGRAM. FOR DEPARTMENTS THAT DO DECIDE TO BEGIN A POLICE DOG PATROL UNIT, GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION, TRAINING, AND RETRAINING OF DOG AND HANDLER ARE PROVIDED, AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS ARE DISCUSSED. A DIRECTORY OF AGENCIES WITH EXPERIENCE IN USING TRAINED HANDLER-DOG TEAMS FOR POLICE PATROL IS APPENDED. (DAG)