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E.P.P. 014 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 14 SUBJECT: CANINE OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 REVISED: JULY 1, 2023 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 1 of 11 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish guidelines for the utilization of law enforcement canines. Additionally, a description of a canine officer’s general duties and responsibilities are defined in this directive to provide enforcement personnel with an understanding of the future functions of the canines and their handlers. II. SCOPE: Canines are valuable law enforcement tools for use in criminal apprehension, locating lost persons, recovery of evidence, detecting narcotics, protecting law enforcement officers, as well as other persons. Canines are also valuable in the prevention of crime and in promoting public relations. III. GENERAL: Under no circumstances are enforcement personnel or other persons allowed to use a law enforcement canine unless properly trained and authorized to do so. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Canine Officer: A trained officer assigned the use of a canine for law enforcement purposes. B. Canine Team: Canine officer and their trained canine. C. First officer on the scene: ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 2 of 11 The first officer to arrive at the scene of an incident and may request (through a supervisor) the services of a canine officer, assist the canine officer as necessary, direct assisting field personnel and carry out other duties as may be required. V. CANINE OFFICER (HANDLER) SELECTION CRITERIA: A. Upon the posting of an available canine officer position, officers seeking the position will submit notification of their interest to the chief of police and complete the transfer application process required in G.O. 12 XII (C). B. Officers must also: 1. Not be in a probationary status; 2. Have no disciplinary action within the previous 12 months; 3. Be recommended by their immediate supervisor. VI. GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CANINE OFFICER: A. Canine officers are assigned to the patrol division. B. A canine officer works under the supervision of the on duty patrol supervisor, and is assigned to regular patrol duty when not involved in canine operations. C. The canine officer is responsible for coordinating the deployment, training, discipline and performance of his/her canine. D. Prisoners will not be transported in vehicles that are occupied by a law enforcement canine. VII. CANINE ASSIGNMENT: A. Unless a canine officer is the primary officer assigned to a complaint, all requests for canine services will be first approved by the on duty patrol supervisor. If a canine officer is assigned to a complaint that requires use of his/her canine, a supervisor will be informed of the intended use of the canine prior to its deployment. B. When assigned to special details, functions or tactical incidents, canine officers will be under the direction of the supervisor in charge of the situation. However, tactical applications of the canine shall be at the discretion of the canine officer. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 3 of 11 C. A canine officer is on twenty-four hour call; except when on leave. D. Requests for canine assistance from other agencies must be approved by the on duty patrol supervisor. VIII. REPORTS: A. A canine report form is to be completed in the event an injury is inflicted on any person by a Longwood Police Department Canine. The canine officer will notify the on duty patrol supervisor of such an occurrence. B. A response to resistance form and a canine report form are to be completed in all events where a canine is used to physically control a suspect. C. All canine report forms and response to resistance forms will be forwarded through the chain of command to the chief of police. D. Canine officers are responsible for executing other forms (such as training logs and activity logs) that may be required by patrol supervisors in order to record canine use or activity. IX. SPECIFIED CANINE USES: A. Tracking, Area, and Building searches: 1. On-scene officers must secure scenes and establish perimeters consistent with training. 2. Once established, no person should be allowed to enter a perimeter. Efforts must be made not to handle or otherwise contaminate any article. The perimeter is maintained until the canine team concludes its search. 3. An assisting officer or a contact and cover team (utilized with a tracking only canine) will accompany a canine officer during a search to provide additional security. The personnel selection is at the discretion of the canine officer. Canine teams will have a minimum of one officer assisting. 4. Before searching a building, or if a suspect is possibly contained in a confined area, the canine officer will give verbal warnings by clearly announcing: "Police Canine Unit; come out or I will release the dog and you may be bitten" (or similar language). The warning will be given twice and the suspect(s) given the opportunity to surrender. This warning will not be given if there are tactical considerations dictating a ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 4 of 11 safety issue for the canine team, other personnel, or citizens. In multi- level buildings, the canine officer will repeat the warning on each level. NOTE: Before the canine officer arrives, this warning will not be given as a ploy for surrender. 5. If a suspect is located; once the situation is stabilized, the canine officer will control the canine and provide cover for the assisting officer (who will secure the suspect and escort him/her from the scene). Once the suspect is removed, the assisting officer will return to the canine officer and resume the search, if necessary. 6. Evidence discovered during a search is the responsibility of the officer in charge of the scene. B. Article search The following procedures shall be followed when a canine officer is requested to conduct an article search. 1. The officer in charge of the scene will evaluate the need for canine services and secure the scene to prevent contamination. No persons will be allowed in the area to be searched. 2. The officer in charge of the scene is responsible for the protection of found property until it can be properly processed. C. Narcotic search: The following procedures shall be followed when a canine officer is requested to conduct a narcotic search. 1. The officer in charge of the scene will evaluate and determine the need for canine services. 2. The officer in charge of the scene will be responsible for ensuring that the scene is not contaminated. Officers will not conduct searches prior to the canine’s arrival. 3. The requesting officer must be prepared to take appropriate measures after the canine gives a positive indication for narcotics (i.e. arrest, secure a search warrant if needed, take custody of located narcotics and place them into evidence, etc.). ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 5 of 11 4. A canine trained in narcotic searches will not be used to search an individual suspected of concealing drugs on his/her person. D. Search for victims/missing persons: The following procedures shall be followed when a canine officer is requested to conduct a search for a victim or missing person: 1. Extreme care will be taken to prevent a dog bite. These searches will be conducted with the canine on a lead. 2. To facilitate this type of canine search, all efforts will be made to keep the search area clear of unnecessary persons. E. Crowd control: 1. Canines are not used for crowd control unless a situation arises where injury to law enforcement officers or citizens is imminent. 2. Canines are maintained on lead, and safely secured by the canine officer. X. ADDITIONAL CANINE USES: When required, canines may be utilized for the following functions: A. To support the Special Weapons and Tactics team; B. To support attempts to affect an arrest or search warrant; C. As assist units during drug raids; D. For detention and security situations; E. To search for escaped prisoners; and F. Public relations programs; XI. ARRESTS: When the canine officer makes an apprehension, the suspect will be taken into custody and turned over to the officer who requested the canine assistance. In the case of an on-view call by the canine officer, the canine officer will be responsible for the arrest and subsequent processing of the suspect, with the exception of providing ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 6 of 11 transportation to the correctional facility. The on duty patrol supervisor will be notified that a patrol vehicle will be needed to transport the prisoner. XII. USE OF CANINE AS NON-LETHAL FORCE (Limitations of use): A. A canine officer who has been certified by the State Examiner in bite work and apprehension may allow the canine to bite the suspect under the following circumstances: 1. When the canine officer has been assaulted; 2. When the canine has been assaulted; 3. To stop a person escaping whom an officer has probable cause to arrest for a felony; and 4. To prevent injury to another law enforcement officer or citizen. B. A canine officer may not allow the canine to bite a suspect under the following circumstances: 1. To intimidate, coerce or frighten a suspect; 2. To affect the arrest of an obvious child or a feeble person who obviously cannot escape or resist the canine officer. XIII. INJURY TO SUSPECT/CITIZEN: When a canine injures a suspect or a citizen the canine officer will: A. Render first aid, and if necessary have the suspect and/or citizen transported to hospital for treatment; B. Notify the on duty patrol supervisor; C. All injuries will be photographed by the canine officer or the on duty patrol supervisor as soon as possible after the incident has occurred. All photographs will be submitted with the canine officers canine report form and response to resistance form. D. Enforcement personnel on the scene of a canine related injury will refrain from making any statement as to responsibility for injury. All personnel witnessing a Longwood Police Department canine related injury will complete a sworn written statement. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 7 of 11 XIV. INJURY TO THE CANINE OFFICER OR CANINE: If the canine officer or canine becomes injured or incapacitated, the following procedures will be followed: A. Enforcement personnel are reminded that canines are trained to protect their handler. B. Under no circumstances attempt to approach the canine or render first aid to the canine officer unless it is believed that an injury may be life-threatening to the officer. C. If the injury to the canine officer is life threatening and the canine cannot be controlled: 1. Attempt to get the injured canine officer to control his canine 2. Attempt to contact another canine officer to control the canine 3. It may be necessary to use deadly force against the canine in order to save the life of the canine officer. XV. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS: A. No exhibition or demonstration of a canine is permitted unless authorized by the chief of police or his designee. B. Unauthorized exhibitions of criminal apprehension training activities shall not be conducted by canine officers. XVI. CONDUCT AROUND THE CANINE OFFICER: Enforcement personnel shall adhere to the following guidelines when working in the presence of a canine officer and his/her canine: A. Personnel will not accompany a canine officer during an operation, unless said accompaniment is specifically requested by the canine officer. B. Police department personnel are prohibited from teasing or agitating the canine, except at supervised training sessions and when directed to do so by the canine officer. C. Police department personnel are prohibited from giving the canine any type of food without the permission of the canine officer. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 8 of 11 D. When the canine is working, officers and other personnel shall remain at a safe distance to avoid being injured or causing interference. E. Personnel should avoid walking near a canine vehicle whenever possible. At no time shall personnel other than a canine officer attempt to enter or remove any item from a canine vehicle. F. Law enforcement canines are protected under chapter 843.19, Florida State Statutes (Third Degree Felony). XVII. CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF CANINES AND EQUIPMENT: A. Each canine officer is assigned a specifically designed vehicle for use in transporting his/her canine. The canine officer is responsible for the vehicle’s care and upkeep. B. Canine officers will ensure their canine has access to water while on duty and, while confined in the vehicle, that adequate air circulation or air conditioning is provided at all times. C. Carelessness on the part of the canine officer with the canine or any canine equipment may result in disciplinary action. D. It will be the responsibility of the canine officer to insure their canine receives necessary medical care when needed. E. The canine officer will bath and groom his/her canine when necessary in order to maintain a clean presentable appearance. F. Canines are to be fed at least once daily, and fresh water is to be available at all times. G. Vehicles and equipment are to be kept clean and in operational order at all times. Issued equipment includes: 1. Portable alert monitors; 2. Collars; 3. Leads; 4. Portable water receptacle; and 5. Interior canine cage (installed in vehicle). ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 9 of 11 H. Abusive punishment of a canine is strictly prohibited, and will result in disciplinary action. I. A canine officer will take all necessary precautions to safeguard the canine from adverse weather, poisonous materials, etc. J. Canine officers are allotted one hour each day for canine care and maintenance. Seven hours of an eighty four hour work period will be dedicated to animal care. Said care and maintenance time will not be counted as overtime. XVIII. ACQUISITION, USE, MAINTENANCE, AND SECURITY OF NARCOTIC TRAINING AIDS: A. Narcotic training aids are acquired through written request to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and are submitted in accordance with DEA Guidelines. If the request is approved, the narcotics are shipped to the investigations supervisor. Upon receipt, the investigations supervisor shall: 1. Ensure the integrity of the packaging and confirm accurate content and weight in the presence of at least one witness. If the packaging has been compromised in any way the details should be documented and notification should be made to the division lieutenant. 2. If necessary, the investigation supervisor may divide the narcotic training aids into smaller sealed packages to supply multiple handlers. Each package distributed should be assigned serialized numbers and/or provide FDLE/DEA control numbers along with the content and weight recorded on each aid. This process should be completed in the presence of at least one witness. 3. Distribute the narcotic training aids to canine officers responsible for training. 4. Maintain documentation of all narcotic training aids distributed; to include the type, weight, and number of packages of narcotic training aids distributed. B. When deploying training aids in the field, the security of the aids is the sole responsibility of the canine officer. The officer will maintain visual control of the area where the training aids are placed. After a training session has ended, the officer will recover the training aids, visually inspect them, and return the training aids to the secure vehicle transport container. If there are any concerns, issues, or damage noted, they will be documented, and the canine officer’s supervisor will be immediately notified. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 10 of 11 C. While on leave: 1. Narcotic training aids will be stored in the Longwood Police Department’s evidence vault if a canine officer; a. Is suspended, b. Is placed on administrative leave, c. Is assigned to light duty status, d. Goes on leave for more than five days, or, e. Is away from their residence for three days or longer. Note: Acceptance, storage, and return of the narcotics will be documented by the evidence custodian. D. Packing and submission of narcotic training aids in the evidence vault: 1. Canine officers submitting training drugs to the evidence custodian shall; a. Complete a Café report under a CJIS case number detailing the need for storage, b. Submit an evidence property form, c. Package and weigh each type of training drug separately, d. Submit the training drug packages to the evidence custodian. E. In the event a narcotic training aid is stolen or lost: 1. A comprehensive search of the area where the aid was lost will be conducted by the canine officer and any assisting officers necessary; 2. If not located, the division lieutenant will be immediately notified, 3. The loss will be thoroughly documented in a Café report, 4. The DEA 106 Form must be completed and forwarded to DEA within 24 hours, if the training narcotics were acquired from DEA. This form is available on-line at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/. A copy of the completed form will be maintained by the investigations supervisor. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CANINE OPERATIONS EPP – 14 Page 11 of 11 F. Each specific type of training narcotic will be independently housed in an airtight container. When not in use, the narcotics must be stored in a locked transport safe which is securely attached inside the canine officer’s vehicle . G. The canine officer’s supervisor will regularly inspect the condition of the officer’s narcotic training aids. The supervisor will ensure the canine officer is adhering to proper security measures and confirming the condition of the training aid. H. Should the packaging of the narcotics become compromised, the canine officer will immediately secure the narcotic to prevent loss. The officer will contact the issuing investigation supervisor for guidance on re-packaging the narcotic. I. A documented unannounced annual inventory of the narcotic training aids used for canine training will be conducted by the investigations supervisor. XIX. TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: A. Each canine and his/her handler requiring Florida Department of Law Enforcement certification shall be evaluated on an annual basis to ensure they are performing at levels that demonstrate competency and proficiency in skills required of a law enforcement canine team. B. Competency levels and evaluations shall be conducted by Florida Department of Law Enforcement certified examiner. No officer will be assigned field use of a canine who has not received certification. C. Any canine or handler who fails to exhibit competency in canine use shall be prohibited from operating as a canine team until a satisfactory level of competency is achieved. Officers who fail to demonstrate a satisfactory level may be removed from the program. D. Documentation: 1. Canine officers who handle canines requiring Florida Department of Law Enforcement certification will submit a copy of each annual recertification to their training file through their chain of command. 2. Canine handlers will generate and maintain documentation of all monthly training completed with their canine. 3. Canine handlers will generate and maintain documentation of all deployments of their canine.