301522

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: April 8, 2024  Amends - GO 8.1.5 ( September 13, 2023 ) Number: 8.1.5 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: June Reviewing Authority: SOD / Specialized Patrol Subject: Use of Canine (K-9) Teams This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The agency’s use of police canine is to enhance the ability to perform law enforcement functions. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the authorized use and deployment of agency canines, which prioritizes the safety of the community an d mitigates injury to a suspect and agency personnel. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to maintain an operational Canine Unit to support uniformed patrol and specialized operations. Canine teams shall be deployed using great caution and only aft er careful consideration of the circumstances. 3. Definitions A. Accidental Contact – a canine bite or injury caused by the physical contact with a canine that occurs when a handler has given no command to search or apprehend, or engages the wrong person. B. Bite – a canine bite refers to an incident of physical contact between a canine’s teeth and a person. This physical contact does not need to result in broken or punctured skin to qualify as a bite. C. Canine – an agency canine specially trained to execute a number of specific law enforcement and public service tasks which make use of the canine’s speed, agility, hearing and sense of smell. D. Canine Announcement – an approved agency warning to alert the public and/or a suspect(s) that a canine is in the area. The approved announcement is as follows: “Sheriff’s Office canine , give up now or I will release my dog and you will be bitte n.” The warning will be given in a loud and clear manner with time for a person to surrender. This warning, with opportunity to surrender, will be given twice before utilizing the canine, absent exigent circumstances. E. Canine Apprehension – when a canine is deployed in a role to capture or induce the surrender of a person wi thout making a bite on a person or , when the canine 8.1.5, Page 2 of 10 is deployed in a role to locate evidence of a crime resulting in an arrest. F. Canine Apprehensi on with contact – A canine makes contact with a suspect to bring the person into custody regardless of injury sustained or not. G. Canine Deployment – use of a canine on or off lead to be used as trained (e.g. search for a subject or evidence, to apprehe nd a suspect or for officer safety). H. Canine Handler - deputy specially trained and certified to utilize an agency trained and certified police canine to assist in law enforcement functions. I. Canine Team – Sheriff’s Office Canine Handler and their assigned canine. J. K9 Activity Tracking System (KATS) – Computer software program utilized for canine record keeping, canine operations, training and deployments. K. Off Lead - deployment of a canine with no leash attached, or when the leash is attached, and the handler does not have positive control of the leash. L. On Lead – deployment of a canine with a leash attached to the collar or harness and the handler has positive control of the leash. M. Single Purpose Detection Canine – Canine whose primary function is to locate contraband, i.e. narcotics. N. Single Purpose Tracking Canine – Canine whose primary function is to locate and follow human scent and are not specifically trained in aggression or the ability to physically apprehend a subject. 4. Procedures A. Requesting Canine Teams 1. During regular duty hours, any deputy or supervisor may request a canine team to respond to a scene. Deputies shall follow the canine handler's instruction when requested. 2. Requests may be made prior to a planned operation (e.g. explosive sweeps, search warrants, etc.) by contacting a Canine Unit supervisor. 3. Deputies shall provide cover for the canine team. 4. Canine teams should not be dispatched as a primary unit to report type calls. Canine teams shall attempt to handle any self -initiated calls and should assist law enforcement units as a backup when possible. B. Canine Deployment 1. When supporting field units t he canine team coordinate s and reports to the on-scene supervisor or Watch Commander. 2. In the event directives are given which expose canine teams or persons on 8.1.5, Page 3 of 10 the scene to excessive risks, hazards, or injuries, the cani ne handler has discretion on the de ployment of their canine. The canine handler shall advise the on -scene supervisor/watch commander of their concerns for the deployment requested. 3. Conflicts will be resolved between the on -scene supe rvisor/watch commander and a Canine Unit manager or su pervisor. 4. Prior to canine deployment, the canine handler shall verify the canine use is consistent with this policy. 5. Canine handlers shall remain within working distance of their canine to confirm they can read their canine’s body language and the canine obeys verbal commands. C. Canine apprehension and arrest 1. Canine handlers must consider factors announced in Graham v. Connor , 490 U.S.