BENEFITS OF CANINE SQUADS

• NCJ Number: 58210
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 155-160
• Author(s): R L O'BLOCK; S E DOEREN; N J TRUE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESULTS OF STUDIES REGARDING THE USE OF DOGS IN POLICE WORK ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE STATISTICALLY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF POLICE DOGS MANY EVALUATIONS HAVE PROVIDED STRONG EVIDENCE THAT DOGS CAN BE OF INVALUABLE SERVICE IN POLICE WORK. EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN WHICH DOGS CAN BE UTILIZED INCLUDE: (1) AS PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERRENTS, EXERTING A POWERFUL RESTRAINT UPON LAWBREAKERS BY THEIR PRESENCE; (2) THE SEARCHING OF BUILDINGS OR AREAS, EMPLOYING THE KEEN SENSE OF SMELL FOR SEARCHING OUT CRIMINALS; (3) IN DEFENDING THEIR HANDLERS AGAINST ATTACK, PARTICULARLY DURING ARREST; (4) IN LOCATING LOST PERSONS, AGAIN THROUGH USE OF THE SENSE OF SMELL WHICH IS 100,000 TIMES STRONGER THAN MAN'S; (5) IN CONTROLLING UNRULY CROWDS AND GATHERINGS; (6) IN DETECTING MARIHUANA AND NARCOTICS; (7) IN DETECTING HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES; AND (8) IN USE FOR GENERAL PATROL, PARTICULARLY IN HIGH CRIME AREAS. GERMAN SHEPHERDS ARE THE MOST COMMONLY USED BREED FOR POLICE WORK BECAUSE OF THEIR AVAILABILITY, OBEDIENCE, AND EVEN TEMPERAMENT; DOBERMAN PINSCHERS WITH GOOD BLOODLINES ALSO ARE USED, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE. DOGS SELECTED FOR POLICE WORK ARE USUALLY NO YOUNGER THAN 10 MONTHS AND NO OLDER THAN 2 YEARS. ALTHOUGH REQUIREMENTS FOR DOG HANDLERS VARY FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT, IT IS GENERALLY STIPULATED THAT THE HANDLERS BE YOUNGER THAN 40, HAVE 3 YEARS POLICE EXPERIENCE, AND HAVE AGREED WITH THEIR SPOUSES THAT THE DOG WILL LIVE WITH THE HANDLER. DESPITE FAVORABLE STATISTICS REGARDING USE OF POLICE DOGS AS EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, MANY DEPARTMENTS HAVE ABANDONED THEIR CANINE PROGRAMS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT COST LACK OF A HIGH CRIME RATE IN THE PARTICULAR AREA, ADMINISTRATIVE MISMANAGEMENT, OR POORLY DEVELOPED TRAINING PROGRAMS MAY BE FACTORS IN SUCH FAILURES. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)