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Procedure 3093Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/05/06, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentUSE OF POLICE CANINES ON PERIMETER SEARCHES - 1USE OF POLICE CANINES ON PERIMETER SEARCHES 3093.1 PURPOSE The Santa Ana Police Department uses trained police service dogs to enhance the safety of our officers and aid in the apprehension and arrest of suspects meeting certain criteria. These guidelines will provide officers with tactics that have been successfully used in containing and apprehending suspects. 3093.2 INTRODUCTION Police officers are continuously confronted with dangerous circumstances when certain types of suspects flee on foot and attempt to avoid arrest by concealing themselves within the community. Canine deployment is appropriate when a suspect is fleeing, barricaded or hidden suspects and who (1) refuse to surrender and (2) pose a threat to officers and/or the public. The safest method for locating and apprehending suspects may be the use of the canine. With this in mind, perimeter tactics and the use of the canine team should be planned. 3093.3 PERIMETERS When a suspect flees on foot, Officers must act quickly and communicate their intention to establish a perimeter. The initiating officer must actively direct and coordinate responding officers into an effective perimeter and consider the following:. (a)Requesting air support. (b)Once the initial perimeter is set, request Communications assign an off channel (preferably green 3 or 4.) This allows Communications to monitor the progress and ability to communicate with perimeter officers. (c)The size of the perimeter depends on the area to be searched. While establishing the perimeter, attention must be given to avenues of escape (alleys, riverbeds, cul-de-sacs, etc.) It is better to have a perimeter that is too large rather than too small. (d)Upon the arrival of the canine team, the handler shall consult with the on scene supervisor where practicable to ensure the use of the canine is within policy. The supervisor will have the ultimate responsibility of overseeing the operation. (e)Prior to beginning the search of the area, a search team and plan should be established. The search team should consist of officers that are not at perimeter locations. (f)Officers will be briefed on the circumstances of the initial crime and description of the suspect(s). (g)A canine announcement shall be made, in English and Spanish, that consists of the following language, or similar language, where practicable: (a)"This is the Santa Ana Police Department. We are going to use a police dog to find you. If it finds you, it will bite you. Come out now and the dog will not be used." Due to exigent circumstances or tactical considerations, announcements may be altered or omitted at the discretion of the supervisor and/or handler. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual USE OF POLICE CANINES ON PERIMETER SEARCHES Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/05/06, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentUSE OF POLICE CANINES ON PERIMETER SEARCHES - 2In situations where an announcement is given, perimeter officers shall acknowledge the announcement was heard and understood via police radio prior to the deployment of the canine. The handler shall advise communications and other officers the search has begun and the starting location. The incident supervisor and Communications shall be updated as the search progresses where practicable. During the search, radio discipline shall be maintained and radio traffic restricted to priority traffic only, where practicable. 3093.4 SEARCH TEAM CELL CONCEPT (a)The search team cell concept is used in many law enforcement agencies. The cell concept consists of either a three or four member search team. This concept affords the handler cover while allowing for movement during a canine search. It should be understood that no two canines will search at the same. (b)The canine team will consist of the handler and canine. The search team will consist of a #2 officer whose responsibility is to search closely alongside the canine officer and maintain visual coverage of the area in front of the handler. (c)Additional search team members shall be responsible for the left and right sides. (d)When deploying through doorways or gates, the canine should be sent to search the area prior to entering, unless otherwise impracticable. (e)The handler shall have tactical control over the search team and its involvement. Search teams shall maintain visual responsibilities of their search area and not focus on the canine. (f)When the handler has read a possible alert by the canine, he/she shall inform the team verbally or by hand signal as predetermined. This will allow officers to locate tactical positions of advantage and move toward them while simultaneously providing cover for the handler. (g)When a concealed suspect is located; only the handler should give verbal commands to the suspect to surrender. If the suspect refuses to comply and does not surrender, the canine will be deployed. (h)While the canine has a bite hold of the suspect, only the handler should give verbal commands to the suspect to comply and surrender. Officers should not take hold of the suspect until directed to do so by the handler. (i)If an emergency occurs during the search inside the perimeter (shots fired or suspect running), officers should hold their positions and maintain perimeter integrity unless directed to move by the handler or supervisor. 3093.5 SUMMARY The canine team is a valuable asset to patrol officers in the field. Officers should keep in mind that suspects who refuse to submit to arrest, either by physically resisting or fleeing and concealing themselves, pose a threat of serious injury to