14.1 K9 Unit

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

Centreville Police Department
Title: K9 Unit Directive #: 14.1
Issued: 10.1.2016 Revised: 10.1.2016
Approved by: Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
Chief of Police
A. Policy
Officers will use K-9 Teams to aid in crime prevention, detection and the apprehension of criminals.
B. Procedures
1. Use of CPD Patrol K-9
a. Full guidelines on the case law, the use of patrol K-9s and other use of force issues may be found in
the K-9 Unit SOP Manual.
b. When using a patrol K-9 in an apprehension, handlers follow the CPD use of force policy.
c. A K-9 Team may be used to locate or indicate the whereabouts of a suspect.
d. A properly trained patrol K-9:
(1) is not considered to be deadly force when used in an appropriate manner to apprehend a
felony suspect; and
(2) may be justified in the apprehension of a suspect who has committed a misdemeanor.
e. The decision to have the K-9 physically apprehend a suspect by engaging is made by the handler.
f. The K-9 handler will have the ultimate authority not to deploy the K-9; a supervisor who has been fully
briefed on the situation may also decide not to deploy the K-9.
2. Building and Area Searches
a. Patrol officers will attempt to clear the building or area of all persons prior to the arrival of the K-9
team.
b. The handler will generally give three verbal warnings before the K-9 enters the building and give
additional warnings on each additional floor and in any closed spaces, unless such a warning would
jeopardize the safety of the team.
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c. Handlers must allow ample time for the suspect to surrender prior to K-9 deployment.
d. Whenever possible, building searches will be conducted off-leash with the handler following the K-9
into the building.
e. Area searches may be conducted with the K-9, either on-leash or off-leash at the discretion of the K9
handler.
3. Tracking
a. K-9s may be worked on-leash or off-leash at the discretion of the handler for tracking purposes.
b. The first officer to arrive at the scene should attempt to determine the area in which the person was
last seen; access to the area should be limited
c. All vehicle motors should be shut off to prevent accumulation of exhaust fumes.
d. The responding officer should determine if a scent article (a piece of unwashed clothing that the
person has recently worn) is available.
(1) Underwear or other clothing worn close to the body is preferred; sheets, pillowcases and similar
articles may be used.
(2) Shoes and socks should be avoided, if possible.
(3) The responding officer will not let anyone handle the scent article; the K-9 handler will secure the
scent article upon arrival at the scene.
e. Once the officer determines if a scent article is available, he will then conduct a thorough search of the
house or other location where the person was last seen as well as any other buildings in the area.
f. When the team arrives, the officer will brief the K-9 handler on the investigation.
g. When possible, a minimum of one CPD officer should accompany the handler on the search and assist
as needed, following all of the directions of the K9 handler.
h. When pursuing a suspected armed person, additional manpower should be deployed to secure a
perimeter and conduct roving patrols.
4. CDS Detection
a. The drug detection K-9 teams will be support officers in drug interdiction enforcement.
b. A K-9 scan may not be conducted if the violator has given consent to search the vehicle or if the officer
has probable cause to search.
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(1) If no drugs are found after a probable cause search, a scan may be performed only if the officer
can articulate that there may be a hidden compartment.
(2) The safety of officers and the K-9 must be considered prior to conducting a scan and the handler
may refuse to conduct a scan if he believes it is unsafe to do so.
c. A K-9 officer will not conduct a drug scan unless at least one additional law enforcement officer is
present.
(1) When back-up arrives, the vehicle’s occupants will be removed and advised that a K-9 will be used
to scan the exterior of the vehicle.
(2) The occupants will be moved away from the travelled portion of the roadway.
(3) The handler will conduct the scan of the exterior of the vehicle with the K-9
(4) The K-9 may not enter the interior of a vehicle unless probable cause is established or consent is
given; this is generally only done to locate a suspected hidden compartment that cannot be
located.
(5) If a K-9 gives a positive alert to the presence of CDS, a search of the vehicle will be conducted and
the occupants may be searched.
d. An officer may request a K-9 scan of a vehicle’s exterior at any time during a traffic stop without the
requirement of reasonable articulable suspicion (RAS).
(1) A K9 Scan Report shall always be completed.
(2) The reason for the scan must not be based on a factor that would be disparate to any racial group.
e. K-9 teams may not scan people.
5. CDS Scans at Schools/Juvenile Detention Facilities
a. Scans may be conducted inside a public or private school to conduct K-9 scans of any administrative
property, lockers or the like only after written request of the school superintendent.
2. Scans may be conducted on the parking lot of the school after a request by the school superintendent
or principal.
6. K-9 Scans of Currency
a. Drug detection K-9 teams can scan currency for the odor of CDS.
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b. If the K-9 alerts to the currency, it may be seized if certain procedures were followed prior to the scan.
c. If an officer develops probable cause during his investigation that the currency is associated with drug
trafficking and the currency is discovered while not in the presence of suspected CDS, the currency
may be scanned.
d. Generally, scans should not be conducted when currency is present with CDS.
e. To prevent contamination of the currency, it will be placed in a clear evidence envelope using new
gloves that have not been used for any other purpose (e.g., searching prisoners).
f. If a scan cannot be performed immediately, the evidence envelope will be sealed until the scan can be
performed and stored in an area that has not been contaminated by CDS.
g. The scan should be conducted prior to the end of the investigating officer’s shift.
7. Other K-9 Teams Functions
a. K-9 Teams can be used to secure perimeters, disperse crowds and may be used in other specialized
operations such as high-risk warrant services.
b. In all cases, the K-9 handler will decide how to deploy the K-9 after being briefed by
investigating officers.
c. If a K-9 team is involved in a high-speed pursuit:
(1) dispatch has to inform all units that K-9 is involved in the pursuit;
(2) the K-9 vehicle will be positioned as the second pursuit vehicle, if possible; and
(3) all units involved must stay in their vehicles if there is a bail out.
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