NCJ Number
194906
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2002 Pages: 114-117
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes a transitional school that helps K-9 handlers learn what a SWAT team does during a deployment.
Abstract
This three-day workshop is held once or twice a year and is open to any K-9 team. Using SWAT members and K-9 handlers as instructors offers the handler a good understanding of what and why SWAT teams do certain things. Day One begins with a lecture from the Utah County Sheriff’s K-9 unit. Tactical team and K-9 interaction are reviewed, as well as stealth v. dynamic entries, team movements, and what equipment the K-9 handler should have with him during a SWAT deployment. The instructors stress the importance of introducing a dog to the SWAT team before training or deploying with SWAT. When a SWAT team does a dynamic entry into a location the dogs should be used on the perimeter. Some of the standard equipment each handler should have before he enters a SWAT environment are: a tactical vest equal to what the SWAT team wears, ballistic helmet, and a load bearing vest to carry K-9 equipment. The hands-on portion of the class begins in the afternoon with standard obedience and later tactical obedience with gunfire. Techniques to calm dogs around gunfire include petting them, talking to them, and using their favorite toys. The handlers are then treated to a K-9/SWAT liability seminar, which emphasizes very detailed report writing and training with a SWAT team. On Day Two, the K-9 handlers work with actual SWAT teams. One of the more interesting exercises the K-9 teams are exposed to is repelling with their dogs. Day Three is spent at an outdoor shooting range with a shooting house and gas house. The class is brought to a conclusion by exposing the dogs and handlers to CS and CN gas. Either gas will not affect most dogs.