Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 06/18 /2015 04/25/2024 04/25/2027
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________ ___________
GO 318 - Canine Program 1
POLICY 318 CANINE PROGRAM
318.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for the use of canines to augment police services to the
community including, but not limited to , locating individuals and contraband and apprehending
criminal offenders.
318.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 84.1.4, 41.1.5
318.2 POLICY
It is Buena Park Police Department policy that handlers and their canines maintain the appropriate
proficiency to effectively and reasonably carry out legitimate law enforcement objectives.
318.3 ASSIGNMENT OF CANINES
The canine teams shall be assigned to the Operations Division to supplement and assist the Patrol
Bureau .
Canine teams should function primarily as cover units . However , the Watch Commander may
assign them to other functions based on the needs of the watch at the time.
Canine teams should not be assigned to handle matters that will take them out of service for
extended periods of time , unless absolutely necessary and only with the approval of the Field
Sergeant or Watch Commander.
318.4 SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERGEANT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Special Operations Sergeant shall supervise the Canine Program. The Special Operations
Sergeant reports directly to the Special Operations Lieutenant to whom the Operations Division
Commander has assigned oversight of the Canine Unit . The Special Operations Sergeant shall be
responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
a) Review all Canine Use Reports to ensure compliance with policy and to identify traini ng
issues and other needs of the program .
b) Maintain liaison with the vendor kennel .
c) Maintain liaison with administrative staff and functional supervisors .
d) Maintain liaison with other agency canine coordinators .
e) Maintain accurate records to document canine activities .
f) Recommend and oversee the procurement of needed equipment and services for the unit .
g) Be responsible for scheduling all canine -related activities .
h) Ensure the canine teams are scheduled for regular training to maximize the capabilities of
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 06/18 /2015 04/25/2024 04/25/2027
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________ ___________
GO 318 - Canine Program 2
the teams.
i) Complete an annual evaluation of each police canine team .
318.5 REQUEST FOR USE OF CANINE TEAMS
Personnel within the Department are encouraged to freely solicit the use of the canines. Requests
for a canine team from outsi de of the Patrol Bureau should go through the Watch Commander.
318.5.1 REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER AGENCIES
The Watch Commander or the Special Operations Sergeant must approve all requests for canine
assistance from outside agencies , subject to the following provisions:
a) Canine teams shall not be used for any assignment that is not consistent with this policy .
b) The handler has the ultimate authority to decide whether to use the canine for any specific
assignment .
c) Canine teams shall not be called out while off -duty or used outside the boundaries of the
City of Buena Park, unless authorized by the Watch Commander or the Special Operations
Sergeant.
d) It shall be the responsibility of the canine handler to coordinate with outside agency
personnel in order to minimize the risk of unintended injury .
e) It shall be the responsibility of the canine handler to c omplete all necessary reports as
directed.
318.5.2 REQUEST FOR PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION
The Special Operations Sergeant will review a ll public requests for a canine team and, if
appropriate, approve the request prior to making any resource commitment. The Special
Operations Sergeant is responsible for obtaining resources and coordinating involvem ent in the
demonstration , includ ing proper safety protocols.
Handlers shall not demonstrate any apprehension work to the public unless authorized to do so by
the Special Operations Sergeant.
318.6 APPREHENSION GUIDELINES
A canine may be used to locate and apprehend a suspect if the canine handler reasonably believes
that the individual has either committed or threatened to commit any serious offense , and if any of
the following conditions exist:
a) There is a reasonable belief the suspec t poses an imminent threat of violence or serious
harm to the public, any officer, or the handler .
b) The suspect is physically resisting or threatening to resist arrest , and the use of a canine
reasonably appears to be necessary to overcome such resist ance .
c) The suspect(s) is/are believed to be concealed in an area where entry by other than the
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 06/18 /2015 04/25/2024 04/25/2027
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________ ___________
GO 318 - Canine Program 3
canine would pose a threat to the safety of officers or the public .
Situations may arise that do not fall within the provisions set forth in this policy. Such ev ents require
consideration of the totality of the circumstances and the use of an objective reasonableness
standard applied to the