Policy Text
K9 UNIT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/01/19 STANDARD NO. 047 REVISED: 07/12/18
REPLACES: SOP K-9 Unit 31-2.1- 4 – Rev. 06/11/07; Rev. 04/20/18
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy and procedure for the operation of the K9 unit.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department to provide specially trained K9
teams to compliment and assist officers and investigators in combating crime and
apprehending criminals.
SCOPE: All sworn employees of the Homestead Police Department will become familiar with
the regulations and procedures listed below.
I. K9 UNIT MISSION AND ASSIGNMENT
A. Mission and Goal:
1. The mission and goal of the K9 unit is to provide a special response capability that
makes available the services of trained K9 teams to provide additional officer safety,
to supplement police functions and operations, assist in suppressing and deterring
crime and the apprehension of criminals.
2. The K9 unit is part of the Uniform Patrol Division and the handlers are assigned to
designated shifts to compliment the Uniform Patrol Division.
B. Unit Organization and Duties:
1. The K9 unit will consist of a K9 commander, K9 supervisor, a K9 trainer or trainers
and K9 handlers.
2. K9 Commander: The K9 commander duties shall include, but are not limited to:
a. Responsible for the general development and the efficient management of
the K9 unit.
b. Ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations for K9 operations.
c. Recommending appointments to the K9 unit.
d. Approving the selection of dogs for the K9 unit.
e. Overseeing the board for selection of new K9 handlers.
f. Ensuring all training is conducted to the recommended Florida Department of
Law Enforcement (FDLE) standards or, where FDLE is silent, industry
standards.
g. Ensuring all statistical, evaluations, performance reports and all other data is
up to date.
K-9 Unit – SOP# 047
h. Preparing the K9 budget.
i. Ensuring that all K9 correspondence is being managed.
k. Maintaining liaison between the shift commanders and the K9 unit.
3. K9 Supervisor: The K9 supervisor is responsible for the direct supervision of the K9
unit. The supervisor may delegate training and administrative duties to other
members of the K9 unit; however, the overall responsibility for the accomplishment
of these duties lies with the K9 supervisor. The K9 supervisor will also have and
maintain a working police dog. The following are specific duties of the K9 supervisor.
The duties include, but are not limited to:
a. Selecting dogs for the K9 unit.
b. Organizing a board of interview for selection of prospective K9 candidates.
c. Supervise the training of the K9 unit and K9 teams.
d. Maintain statistical files, performance reports, and other data to support the
purpose of the K9 unit.
e. Assist in obtaining and equipping K9 vehicles.
f. Ensure that K9 handlers are maintaining their vehicles and having the
vehicle serviced as required.
g. Assist in the preparation of the K9 budget.
h. Handle unit correspondence.
i. Review requests for all public K9 demonstrations and if approved, schedule
and assign the K9 demonstration.
j. Advise the shift commanders and supervisors in the proper use of the K9
teams.
k. Supervise and evaluate all the K9 teams.
l. Ensure the health and well being of all the K9s by monitoring adherence to
directives, vet recommendations and the rules and regulations.
m. Ensure that all K9 reports and documents are being submitted in a timely
manner and to review the reports and documents to assure they conform to
policy and standards.
n. Ensure that all K9 handlers maintain a police service canine to the
recommended FDLE standards or, where FDLE is silent, industry standards.
o. Oversee the quarterly inspection of all the K9s, K9 vehicles, heat alarms and
K9 equipment.
p. Oversee the procurement of equipment, supplies and other needs of the K9
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unit.
q. Maintain liaison with the K9 commander and department supervisors, K9
vendors, as well as other local K9 units.