Roll Call Training Bulletin - 206120Redacted

POLICE FOUNDE Roll Call Training Bulletin Produced by: Sgt Josh Dobson Prepared by: Ofc Mark Scurria Daniel Hahn, Chief of Police Volume 61 November 8, 2018 Critical Incidents Involving K9s BACKGROUND Over the past eighteen months K9 Officers have been at the forefront of a multitude of high profile critical incidents. In each of the debriefs, a variety of common questions arose regarding the use of the police K9. This roll call training bulletin is going to address some of the common questions and concerns that were presented. ISSUES Q: May an officer use lethal force to defend the life of a police dog? A: Our Use of Force General Order 580.02 states: Officer may use deadly force if, under the circumstances, the officer reasonably believes that the suspect poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury, either to the officer or to others. If at any time the officer articulates that the deadly force used on a K9 poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or other "people" then an officer may consider lethal force as an option to end the threat. A police dog is protected from harm by Penal Code 600 which states: Penal Code 600 (a) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal justification strikes beats, kicks, cuts, stabs, shoots with a firearm, administers any poison or other harmful or stupefying substance to, or throws, hurls, or projects at, or places any rock, object, or other substance which is used in a manner as to be capable of producing injury and likely to produce injury, on or in the path of, any horse being used by, or any dog under the supervision of, any peace officer in the discharge or attempted discharge of his or her duties, is guilty of a public offense. If the injury inflicted is a serious injury, as defined in subdivision (c), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two or three years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2000.00), or by both a fine and imprisonment. If the injury inflicted is not a serious injury, the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand $(1000.00), or by both a fine and imprisonment. POLICE FOUNDE Roll Call Training Bulletin Produced by: Sgt Josh Dobson Prepared by: Ofc Mark Scurria Daniel Hahn, Chief of Police Volume 61 Q: During a felony car stop, is it safe for an officer to use the K9 car doors as cover? A: Yes. Our K9's are trained to deploy from the rear windows of our specially equipped K9 vehicles. There is no prohibition from using a K9 vehicle front door as cover during a felony car stop. During a felony stop the K9 will be in an "alerted" state and the K9 may be barking. The handler should be present and nearby the K9 preparing for a potential deployment. If the handler is not present (which is highly irregular) then a reasonable and cautious approach is warranted when opening K9 vehicle front doors. Tactical communication with the handler during use of the K9 vehicle and when in proximity of an "alerted” K9 is always the best tool for safe and successful tactical deployment. Q: Will my tactical medical kit work on a wounded K9? A: Yes. The same combat casualty care treatments that help mitigate massive hemorrhage, tension pneumothorax, or airway obstruction on a human may be used on a police K9. Each K9 handler has a trauma kit that is specifically designated for our K9 partner. It is near the passenger side headrest of each of our K9 vehicles and is clearly marked with a K9 paw. Inside the pack you will find: • A soft muzzle • Tourniquet • Bandages • Info card with veterinary address & phone number Each K9 handler has received training on K9 first aid and, when reasonable, you should follow their directions when assisting with care of an injured K9. If the K9 handler is not available, basic bleeding control and stabilizing for transport to our 24-hour emergency vet is your best treatment option. Q: How can I assist in transporting a wounded K9 to the designated emergency veterinary trauma center? A: We have learned from past experience that when traumatically injured, our dog's best chance for survival is to transport the K9 to our 24-hour trauma veterinarian at: POLICE FOUNDE Roll Call Training Bulletin Produced by: Sgt Josh Dobson Prepared by: Ofc Mark Scurria VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center at: Daniel Hahn, Chief of Police Volume 61 9801 Old Winery Pl, Sacramento, CA 95827 (off the Bradshaw Rd exit at Hwy50) (916) 362-3111 This is our only recommended 24-hour emergency trauma vet in the area and each of all of our K9 teams receive their routine care and treatment at this facility. The City and the Fire Department strongly encourage EMS personnel to assist in the care and transport of an injured police K9 if the need arises, however veterinary care is currently outside the scope of EMS providers, and during a critical incident, fire personnel's priority will be