San Andreas State Police K-9 Program

Standard Operating Procedures

The information inside of this document is strictly for San Andreas State Police and ProGamerNetwork. This document is not intended for use by anyone who is not an approved member of PGN or the department. Any member found giving this out will receive discipline.

Creation Date: 03/05/2022
Latest Edit: 01/06/2023

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Preface

This document provides the information and procedures necessary for a member of the San Andreas State Police K-9 Division To effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities in a lawful and efficient manner. It is the responsibility of a member of the San Andreas State Police K-9 Division to be familiar with these procedures and to follow them when performing their duties. Ignorance or misinterpretation of the procedures will not excuse a person from disciplinary action if they are found to be out of compliance. Any questions regarding this document should be forwarded through the chain of command for K-9. This document is in addition to all policies and procedures found in the Trooper’s SOP handbook for State Police.

Table Of Contents

Title                                                                                                          Page #

1. Introduction

Definition of K-9 Division ………………………………………   5

2. Sub-Division Organization

        Ranking Structure ………………………………………………    6

3. Employee Conduct

        Uniform & Dog Policy………………………………………….     7-8

        Vehicle Policy …………………………………………………..     9
        Canine Policy …………………………………………………..     10

4. Procedures

Pursuit ………………………………………………………….      12

Deployment…………………………………………………….       12

Specialized Task/interactions……………………………………………………..

5. Conclusion

        Conclusion ………………………………………………………    13

1. Introduction

First off, welcome to the San Andreas State Police Canine Unit. We are a specialized team with an ideology built upon the support of others and working together, consisting of officers trained to act at a moment’s notice.

Whether it’s assisting in the search of a large area for narcotics, or aiding a search and rescue operation deep in Mount Chiliad, the officers of the canine unit will uphold the standard that SASP sets out every day in its general patrol. Respect, determination, courage and bravery are shown by all officers every day they don their campaign hats and our unit seeks to follow the same routine.

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2. Sub-Divison Organization

Program Leader- Program Leader oversees all operations.

Asst. Program Leader- Assistant Leader oversees Division Supervisors

K-9 Instructor- Division Supervisors oversee the Trooper II’s and Trooper I’s

K-9 Trooper II- Senior member of K-9

K-9 Trooper I- Base member of the K-9 division.

K-9 Recruit- First step before becoming a full K-9 trooper.

3. Employee Conduct - Uniform & Dog Policy

K-9 Uniform Regulations
When active as a handler you must follow the uniform guideline sheet linked in the K9 Program Database. You must always follow SAHP’s uniform policy when on duty as K9. For example you may only equip a vest when the situation deems necessary and you cannot have any clothing on besides what is within your rank and K9 Program Guidelines.

K-9 Accessories Policy

As K9 you are not required to wear the standard uniform on patrol. With this you are allowed to wear accessories on your uniform if it is within regulations.

Hats - Head garments are allowed in the K9 division but they cannot have any sort of profane language or be abnormally large in size.

Jewelry - You are not allowed to wear earrings that are unprofessional or have any kind of dangling or loose attachments to them

For officer safety and department image. You can also not wear any bracelets but are permitted to wear professional watches.

III. Part 2. Employee Conduct - Vehicle Policy

In addition to your loadouts, as a specialized Canine Unit you are also equipped with a variety of patrol kits at your disposal.

• Basic Veterinary First Aid Kit (BVFAK), (colored in green), Contains the following:

        Bandages; Non-Adhesive Absorbent Dressings; Surgical Sticky Tape; Cotton Wool; Sterile Gauze; Blunt Ended Scissors; Thick Towel

• Canine Welfare Pack (CWP), containing the following:

        Plush Toy; Tennis Ball; Canine Treats; Foldable Food/Water Bowls; Lead

• Canine Deployment Kit (CDK), containing the following:

        Canine Vest (stab proof); Quick Release Tactical Muzzle; Hearing Protection; Canine Bite Sleeves; Canine Eye Protection; Large/Short Leashes; Canine Tactical Release Button.

III. Part 3. Employee Conduct - Canine Policy

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While canine handlers are on patrol, they are expected to understand where the abilities of their canine falls into on the Use of Force Continuum.

As with yourself, the canine has varying levels of use of force, including:

• The ability to bark on command. Sometimes a simple bit of intimidation of a canine towards a suspect is enough to get them to comply with officer’s requests, as well as just the presence of a Canine can be enough to prevent a suspect from running on foot, or to get them to comply.
• The ability to guard/watchover a suspect. Having a canine guard an individual will allow the officer to remain focused and aware of the surroundings while assisting you in keeping control of the situation. Handlers are permitted to jump to this level of Use of Force if required and skip Level 1. This is at the Handler’s discretion, and if violated, it is at the Canine Supervisor +’s discretion whether or not it was justified to skip this level of Use of Force.
• The ability to pursue. In situations where it is likely that an individual may run, having the canine present may reduce the likelihood that the individual may run, having the canine present may reduce the likelihood that the individual will attempt to flee. As soon as a suspect initiates a 10-70, this level of Use of Force is justified, even if the previous two are not used.
• The ability to dominate a situation. Should there be a relevant threat, canines have the ability to bite and detain a suspect with their teeth. For example, should you have a situation where verbal attempts have failed and you would normally deploy a taser, this means of detainment can reduce the risk of a handler, canine or any other LEO/member of the public from being injured.

In situations where a canine must be deployed, Canine Handlers must give three warnings to a subject before deploying their dog. The difference here is that in the situation that physical threats are made towards a person from the suspect, these warnings are waived and the canine can be deployed as mentioned in the use of force guidelines. Once your dog is released, ensure that it is stated over RTO that your K9 is released.

It is important to remember, in the situation that an individual attempts to run towards or injure your canine handler in any way, the canine will act defensively before a command is given and as such may attempt to bite an individual to attempt to reduce any injuries caused to the handler.

Finally, if any trooper is found to be mistreating either their K9 or the K9 of another trooper or that of another department. They face immediate removal. Your K9 is not just a tool, it is an extension of yourself. And your best friend. They deserve to be treated as such. (This includes picking up another’s K9, or putting your, or another’s K9 in a situation that puts it in unnecessary danger.

III. Part 4. Employee Conduct - Unwritten Policies/Procedures

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As an employee of the SASP K9 Program you are expected to uphold a high standard for all troops and civilians alike. This means just because a policy is not listed in this SOP does not mean it can not be enforced. All employees are expected to have common sense to be used in all situations to know if you should do something or not do something not listed here in this document.

For example you take your K9 partner to the front of your cruiser and allow it to sit in the passenger seat. Just because it is not listed here does not mean it should be done. Common sense is a must.

4. Procedures - Pursuit & Deployment

When active as a canine handler and operating a vehicle, it is important to take into account the safety of your canine partner in the rear of the vehicle. Below are some aspects to take into account when driving. (Crucial point is staying third or lower in pursuits {Unless situation does not allow such as lack of units} because as stated above you are not to put your K9 in any unnecessary danger. You are also not permitted to perform any sort of pursuit intervention maneuvers as it will endanger your K9.)

• SPEED. It is important to keep an eye on the speed of your vehicle. In the situation where you are suddenly required to stop your vehicle, the sudden braking may result in the canine becoming injured due to the collision with their cage. Your vehicle should NEVER gain air under any circumstances.

• LANE MANAGEMENT. Swerving between lanes is another example of a situation that could put your canine into harm's way. It is important to always keep an eye on traffic and plan movements ahead to reduce the risk of injuries occurring.

In the Situation where you are involved in a collision, or have to suddenly brake. You are REQUIRED to immediately stop and check the status of your canine before continuing to the destination. Should the canine be injured, you should contact dispatch to inform them that you will no longer be able to respond to the call and to send a replacement unit.

IV Part 2. Procedures - Deployment

While deploying your canine on a traffic stop, there are many risks involved. The following guidelines will cover all the rules to ensure you and your canine are kept safe at all times while on a traffic stop.

• It is suggested that the driver must be out of the vehicle and the engine must be turned off. A Trooper can always order the driver out without probable cause, as they are detained automatically when the traffic stop initiates.

                  This is to ensure the driver does not try to injure the canine or the handler.

• An additional unit is recommended, but not required. This is to ensure the Handler and dog’s safety, as well as to provide a lawful search and to not prolong the traffic stop without reasonable suspicion of a crime. The additional could then run the driver’s information while the canine sniffs around the car.

IV Part 3. Specialized Tasks/Interactions

Civilian and Patrolmen Interactions

Troopers - K9 Handlers also have the ability to ride along with regular troopers, K9 Certified or not. All non K9 Certified troopers MUST be informed of the way their K9 might act, and all the do’s and don’ts.

Civilians - A K9 handler may also do a civilian ride along as long as following SASP ridealong policies. Just like if you are riding with a trooper you must tell the civilian about the dangers of the K9 and what not to do to trigger the K9.

K9 SWAT Program

All information for the K9 SWAT Program is linked below

             K9 SWAT SOP

K9 Explosive Ordnance Unit

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5. Conclusion

In conclusion and on behalf of the San Andreas State Police Canine Unit, we would like to thank you for expressing your interest and willingness to join our unit. We hope that you enjoy the training and eventually your duties within the unit. If at any time you have any questions, please feel free to speak to any San Andreas State Police Canine Supervisors. Below will be links to our Roster and Application.

INFORMATION DATABASE: SAHP | K9 Database - Google Sheets