NCJ Number
124515
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Dated: (1990) Pages: 12-13
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
In the event that local police departments might need the services of an explosives detection dog team, the U.S. Air Force Security Police are ready to offer assistance in the form of military dog teams.
Abstract
During the past two years, dog teams from the 63rd Security Police Squadron in California, an exemplary group, have assisted Federal and local authorities in over 20 incidents in shopping centers, VIP gatherings, and government buildings. To request such assistance, civilian police agencies should coordinate through local Air Force Security Police, who will in turn obtain permission from the chief of security police and the base commander to send a dog team. In most cases, the team will be on its way in a matter of minutes. When the team is off-duty, team response generally takes less than one hour. When the team reaches the suspected bomb site, it reports directly to the commanding law enforcement officer for details on the search pattern, methods used for alerting and marking the device, and any other pertinent information. Once the explosive device has been identified, it is the responsibility of the law enforcement bomb disposal experts -- not the bomb dog teams -- to defuse the explosives. In serving as a resource in this way, the Air Force dog teams can play an important role in protecting the safety of any community, military or otherwise. The one obvious drawback is that the Air Force cannot be held liable for any damages or consequences arising from the search for explosives.