Canines

Policy 309CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCanines - 1Canines 309.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes guidelines for the use of canines to augment police services in the community, including but not limited to locating individuals and contraband and apprehending criminal offenders. These guidelines recognize that the use of K-9s by law enforcement personnel is of important concern to the community, including law enforcement, and that safeguarding the life, dignity, and liberty of all persons, without prejudice to anyone, should be priority. 309.2 POLICY It is the policy of the CSU Police Department that teams of handlers and canines meet and maintain the appropriate proficiency to effectively and reasonably carry out legitimate law enforcement objectives. 309.3 ASSIGNMENT Canine teams may be assigned by the Watch Commander to other patrol functions, such as routine calls for service, based on the current operational needs. Canine teams should generally not be assigned to handle routine matters that will take them out of service for extended periods of time. If such assignment is necessary, it should only be made with the approval of the Watch Commander. 309.4 CANINE COORDINATOR A canine coordinator shall be appointed by the Chief of Police or designee within CSU Police Department's which have canine teams. The canine coordinator shall be appointed by and directly responsible to the Patrol Division or the authorized designee. The responsibilities of the coordinator include but are not limited to: (a)Reviewing all canine use reports to ensure compliance with policy and to identify training issues and other needs of the program. (b)Maintaining a liaison with the vendor kennel. (c)Maintaining a liaison with command staff and functional supervisors. (d)Maintaining a liaison with other agency canine coordinators. (e)Maintaining accurate records to document canine activities. (f)Recommending and overseeing the procurement of equipment and services for the teams of handlers and canines. (g)Scheduling all canine-related activities. (h)Ensuring the canine teams are scheduled for regular training to maximize their capabilities. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Canines Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCanines - 2309.5 REQUESTS FOR CANINE TEAMS Patrol Division members are encouraged to request the use of a canine when appropriate to support the safety of the community and officers on scene. Requests for a canine team from shall be reviewed by the Watch Commander. The Watch Commander should confirm the type of canine team is the most appropriate for the situation before approving the request, including but not limited to: (a)Apprehension (b)Bomb/Explosive/Gun Detection (c)Narcotics Detection (d)Article Detection 309.5.1 PATROL GUIDELINES The release of a K-9 to search for or apprehend a suspect should be based upon the handler's reasonable belief that the suspect has committed, is committing, or is threatening to commit a serious offense under any of the following conditions: (a)There is a reasonable belief that the suspect poses an imminent or immediate threat of violence or serious harm to the public or an officer. (b)The suspect is physically resisting or threatening to resist arrest and the use of a K-9 reasonably appears necessary to overcome such resistance. (c)Officers reasonably believe the suspect is concealed in an area where entry by a person would pose a threat to the safety of officers or the public. (d)Unless the handler reasonably believes that it would pose an imminent threat of danger to the officer or other persons or substantially increase the risk of a suspect's escape, a warning, clearly audible, within the deployment area announcing the potential release of a police K-9 if the suspect does not surrender should be given prior to the release of the K-9. (e)Once given, the handler should allow a reasonable opportunity for the suspect to comply with any warning, if feasible as defined in Government Code section 7286. In general, the K-9 should not be used for crowd control at an assembly, protest, or demonstration. 309.5.2 OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUEST All requests for canine assistance from outside agencies must be approved by the Watch Commander and are subject to the following: (a)Canine teams shall not be used for any assignment that is not consistent with this policy. (b)The canine handler shall have the authority to decline a request for any specific assignment that he/she deems unsuitable. (c)Calling out off-duty canine teams is discouraged. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Canines Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCanines - 3(d)It shall be the responsibility of the canine handler to coordinate operations with agency personnel in order to minimize the risk of unintended injury. (e)It shall be the responsibility of the canine handler to complete all necessary reports or as directed. (f)Watch Commander should closely monitor the situation and may cancel the use of a canine team at any time. 309.5.3 PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION All public requests for a canine team shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, approved by the canine coordinator prior to making any resource commitment. The canine coordinator is responsible for obtaining resources and coordinating involvement in the demonstration to include proper safety protocols. 309.6 APPREHENSION GUID