NCJ Number
182259
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2000 Pages: 36-39
Editor(s)
Dennis Hall
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The use of service dogs can enhance the safety of police officers, bystanders, and suspects and can help prevent police officers from having to resort to deadly force.
Abstract
Because of a court case in San Diego, California, in response to 22 incidents in which police officers shot suspects and killed 12 of them, the San Diego Police Department has increased its K-9 unit to more than 40 service dogs. In general, before police departments deploy service dogs, they must consider the totality of the circumstances. The dog handler must take into account the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of police officers and others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. Court cases are cited that support the use of service dogs by police officers. 4 photographs