Policy Text
510.56
CANINE DEPLOYMENT
1-31-23
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Communications Directive is to provide direction to Communications Division personnel for
the dispatch of canine units to calls for service.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Communications Division to dispatch canine units in compliance with General Order
580.14 (Use of Canines ) and General Order 510.04 (Dispatching Sequence of Assignment ).
DEFINITION
A. The Sacramento Police Department Canine Unit consists of police officers, one ( 1) sergeant and their
canine partners.
1. Canine units are not assigned to a specific beat or district. They work city -wide and scan all
channels.
2. The CAD and radio identifier for canine units is “K9”.
3. Canine units work various shifts which may be subject to change.
4. Some canines are trained in multiple disciplines (i.e. EOD detection, SKIDDS, narcotics, article drugs,
and firearms ).
PROCEDURE
A. The radio dispatcher shall dispatch canine units when the use of a police dog can be beneficial in the
handling of an incident, including but not limited to:
1. Ringing and silent alarms .
2. Felonies in progress (e. g., 207, 211, 261, 459, and Code 900s) .
3. Incidents with felony suspects on scene or in the vicinity .
4. Prowlers .
5. Incidents involving armed and/or dangerous suspects.
6. Searches for concealed or fleeing suspects .
7. Searches for articles and/or evidence, including narcotics and explosives .
8. Pursuits .
9. Felony vehicle stops .
10. Stolen vehicles with suspects on scene or in the vicinity .
B. During building and area searches:
1. The canine officer shall notify the radio dispatcher when the search is about to begin.
2. The radio dispatcher shall broadcast the information to perimeter units and document the incident
appropriately.
C. Radio dispatchers shall not dispatch canine units to routine report calls or calls involving misdemeanors.
D. The watch commander shall be contacted for approval if a canine unit is needed when none are on
duty.
E. When an outside agency contacts the Communications Center requesting the immediate assistance of a
Sacramento Police Department canine unit, the dispatcher or a C ommunications Division supervisor shall
obtain the location, type of incident, suspect description etc., and contact the watch commander for
approval to dispatch a canine unit .
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTIVE 510.56
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SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTIVE