Policy Text
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
POLICE DEPARTMENT
K9 UNIT
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
Revised: July 12, 202 4
FM/6/POL
300-07-12-24OM -i- Revised: July 12, 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ADMINISTRATION ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 1
1.1 Purpose ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 1
1.2 Unit Structure and Personnel ................................ ................................ ....................... 1
1.3 Other Duties and Responsibilities ................................ ................................ ................. 1
1.4 Hold Harmless Understanding ................................ ................................ ...................... 1
1.5 Retired K9 Agreement/Purchase of K9 ................................ ................................ ......... 2
1.6 Civilian/Volunteer Waivers ................................ ................................ ........................... 2
2. FORMS ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 2
2.1 Monthly Activity Log ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2
2.2 Training Report ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 3
2.3 K9 Use Report ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 4
2.4 Narcotic Detection Training Form ................................ ................................ ................ 6
2.5 Requests for K9 Demonstration ................................ ................................ .................... 6
3. OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 7
3.1 Operational Schedule ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7
3.2 K9 Announcement ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 7
3.3 Shift Selection ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 8
3.4 K9 Socialization with Department Personnel ................................ ............................... 9
3.5 Firearm Qualification with Police Dog ................................ ................................ .......... 9
4. TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES ................................ ................................ ....................... 10
4.1 Responsibilities by Position ................................ ................................ ........................ 10
4.2 POST Team Evaluation ................................ ................................ ................................ 11
4.3 Monthly Training Requirements ................................ ................................ ................. 11
4.4 On-Duty Training ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 12
4.5 Weekly Training ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 12
4.6 Advanced K9 Training ................................ ................................ ................................ . 12
4.7 Training with Department Personnel ................................ ................................ ......... 13
4.8 New K9 Team Training ................................ ................................ ................................ 14
4.9 Find -and-Bark ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 14
4.10 Safety ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 15
4.11 MVPD Policy 318 ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 15
5. EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS/VEHICLES ................................ ................................ ............. 15
5.1 Individual Handler Equipment ................................ ................................ .................... 15
5.2 Team Equipment ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 16
5.3 Uniforms ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 17
5.4 Vehicles ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 17
5.5 Off-Duty Care ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 18
FM/6/POL
300-07-12-24OM -ii- Revised: July 12, 202 4 5.6 Vacations ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 18
5.7 Home Visits ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 18
5.8 Missing K9 Procedure ................................ ................................ ................................ . 18
5.9 Off-Duty Bite/Accident ................................ ................................ ............................... 19
6. VETERINARIAN PROCEDURES ................................ ................................ ...................... 19
7. RECORD OF PREPARATION AND REVISIONS ................................ ................................ . 19
FM/6/POL
300-07-12-24OM -1- Revised: July 12, 2024 This manual is to supplement the MVPD K9 Unit policy by addressing
operational issues not covered in the policy to promote a better K9 program.
1. ADMINISTRATION
1.1 Purpose
The K9 Unit was established to augment Mountain View Police Department (MVPD or
Department) services to the community. The primary responsibilities of the K9 Unit are to serve
as back -up/support units, assist Department members in carrying out their assigned duties, and
supplement Police operations to locate evidence, narcotics, missing persons , and apprehend
criminal offenders. The K9 Unit may also conduct community outreach at specific events.
1.2 Unit Structure and Personnel
The K9 Unit has been organizationally assigned under the Field Operations Division (FOD) with
organizational responsibility reporting to the FOD Captain.
• The K9 Unit is administratively directed by K9 staff , consisting of a Lieutenant assigned to
the K9 Program and coordinated by a K9 Sergeant. The K9 Unit may have up to three (3)
K9 handlers.
• Operationally, the K9 teams are under the direct control of the on -duty Patrol Watch
Commander.
• Each handler is responsible for the condition and behavior of their K9 at all times.
1.3 Other Duties and Responsibilities
In addition to those duties and responsibilities listed, K9 handlers will also be responsible for the
following :
• Presenting team training on topics , including , but not limited to , K9 deployment, current
case law, and use of force, as well as keeping Officers updated on deployment policies,
procedures , and capabilities of the team.
• Submission of training and deployment records in a timely manner.
• Attend regular weekly training .
1.4 Hold Harmless Understanding
Whenever