Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 04/10/2014 06/30/2023 06/30/2027
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
________________ ____ _
GO 382 - Service Animal s 1 POLICY 382 SERVICE ANIMAL S
382.1 PUR POSE AND SCOPE
Service animals play an important role in helping to overcome the limitations often face d by people
with disabilities. The Buena Park Police Department recognizes this need and is committed to
making reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures in accordance with Title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( ADA) to permit the use of service animals that are
individually trained to assist a person with a disability.
382.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: N/A
382.2 SERVICE ANIM ALS
The ADA defines a service animal as any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do
work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory,
psychiatric, intellectual , or other mental disabi lity. The work or tasks performed by a service animal
must be directly related to the owner's disability (28 CFR 35.104).
California expands the definition of a service animal to include other animals that are individually
trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability (Health and Safety Code § 113903).
382.2.1 USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS
Some service animals may be readily identifiable. However, many do not have a distinctive symbol,
harness , or collar. Service animals are not pets and may be trained by an individual or organization
to assist people with disabilities.
The following examples are some of the ways service animals may be used to provide assistance:
a) Guiding people w ho are blind or have low vision
b) Alerting people w ho are deaf or hard of hearing
c) Retrieving , picking up , or carrying items
d) Opening doors or flipping switches for people who have limited use of their hands, arm s, or
legs
e) Pulling wheelchairs
f) Providing physical support and assist ing with stability an d balance
g) Doing work or performing tasks for persons with traumatic brain injury, intellectual
disabilities , or psychiatric disabilities, such as reminding a person wit h depression to take
medication
h) Alerting a person with anxiety to the onset of panic att acks, providing tactile stimulation to
calm a person with post -traumatic stress disorder, assisting people with schizophrenia to
distinguish between hallucinations and reality, and helping people with traumatic brain injury
to locate misplaced items or fol low daily routines
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 04/10/2014 06/30/2023 06/30/2027
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
________________ ____ _
GO 382 - Service Animal s 2 382.3 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Service animals that are assisting individuals with disabilities are permitted in all public facilities
and areas where the general public is allowed. Department employee s are expected to treat
individuals with service animals with the same courtesy and respect that the Department affords to
all members of the general public.
If an animal exhibits vicious behavior, poses a direct threat to the health of others, or unreasonably
disrupts or interferes with normal business operations, an officer may direct the owner to remove
the animal from the premises. Barking alone is not a th reat, nor does a direct threat exist if the
owner takes prompt, effective action to control the animal. Each incident must be considered
individually and past incidents alone are not cause for excluding a service animal. Removal of a
service animal may not be used as a reason to refuse service to an individual with disabilities .
Employee s of this Department are expected to provide all services as are reasonably available to
an individual with the disability.
If it is apparent or if an officer is aware the animal is a service animal, the owner should not be
asked any questions as to the status of the animal. If it is unclear whether an animal meets the
definition of a service animal, the officer should ask the individual only the following questions:
a) Is the animal required because of a disability?
b) What task or service has the service animal been trained to perform?
If the individual explains that the animal is required because of a disability and has been trained to
work or perform at least one task , the an imal meets the definition of a service animal and no further
question s as to the animal’s status should be asked. The person should not be question ed about
his/her disabilities , nor should the person be asked to provide any license, certification , or
ident ification c ard for the service animal.
Service animals are not pets. Department employee s should not interfere with the important work
performed by a service animal by talking to, petting , or otherwise initiating contact with a service
animal.
When handl ing calls of a complaint regarding a service animal, Department employee s should
remain neutral and should be prepared to explain the ADA requirements concerning service
animals to the concerned parties. Businesses are required to allow service animals to accompany
their owner into all areas that other customers or members of the general public are allowed.
Absent a violation of law independent of the ADA, officers should take no enforcement action
beyond keeping the peace . Individuals who believe