Policy Text
Procedure
3091Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/03/12, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentBLOODHOUND PROCEDURE - 1BLOODHOUND PROCEDURE
3091.1 PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this policy to provide guidelines for the management of the Department's
Bloodhound teams and the use of Bloodhounds in field operations.
3091.2 INTRODUCTION
A Bloodhound team provides another resource for officers and investigators to utilize during
criminal and non-criminal investigations. Bloodhounds can be trained to trail an individual's unique
scent. Among other things, the Bloodhound team can locate or provide a direction of travel of
suspects/missing persons, identify or eliminate suspects with scent evidence obtained at crime
scenes, identify vehicles previously occupied by suspects and lead officers/investigators to areas
or residences frequented by suspects or missing persons.
3091.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
1.To promote service and safety in the community through the efficient use of
Bloodhound teams.
2.To reduce the resources and time spent in searching for suspects and missing
persons.
3.To minimize risk to missing persons by locating them quickly.
4.To increase the number of suspects apprehended after the commission of a criminal
act.
3091.4 CHAIN OF COMMAND
1.Bloodhound teams will be assigned to the K9 Unit, organizationally in the Field
Operations Bureau.
2.Direct supervision of the Bloodhound teams will be the responsibility of the Canine
Sergeant. Overall administrative responsibility shall be that of the Canine Commander.
3.Functional control of the On-Duty Bloodhound teams is that of the On-Duty Watch
Commander and/or a field sergeant.
3091.5 REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
3091.5.1 DEPARTMENTAL
1.Officers and detectives are encouraged to request an on-duty bloodhound team if their
assistance would be beneficial.
2.Requests for off-duty Bloodhound teams shall be made via the on-duty Watch
Commander.
3.If a Santa Ana Police Bloodhound Team is unavailable to respond, bloodhound teams
may be provided by outside agencies.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
BLOODHOUND PROCEDURE
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/03/12, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentBLOODHOUND PROCEDURE - 23091.5.2 OUTSIDE AGENCIES
1.All requests for assistance of on-duty Bloodhound teams from outside agencies
shall be routed through the on-duty Watch Commander for approval. The Watch
Commander shall ascertain from the requesting agency the circumstances that led to
the request and evaluate them for the suitability of utilizing a Bloodhound.
2.If the Watch Commander approves the request for assistance, an available
Bloodhound team shall be dispatched to the requested location. A sergeant may
be dispatched to the location at the request of the Bloodhound handler or Watch
Commander or as deemed appropriate.
3.The Watch Commander shall apprise the Bloodhound Handler of the facts of the case
as related by the requesting agency. The Bloodhound handler shall be responsible
for verifying these facts upon arrival at the requested location. If the actual facts differ
from those related to the Watch Commander, the handler and/or assigned sergeant
shall contact the Watch Commander for further direction.
4.Bloodhound Handlers will deploy their dogs under the guidelines set forth by this
department and not that of the outside agency.
5.Bloodhound Teams will not be called in while off-duty to assist outside agencies
without the approval of the Field Operations Deputy Chief.
3091.6 DEPLOYMENT
1.Upon request of a bloodhound team, the primary investigating officer should provide
the handler with relevant case information. Some of the facts necessary include but
are not limited to:
A.Type of incident
B.Whether any subjects are outstanding
C.If any subjectsare armed, violent or at risk
D.The subject's last known location and direction of travel
E.The date and time the subject was last seen
F.The scent item or evidence available
G.Any potential contamination of the scent evidence
H.Weather conditions and wind direction at the time the subject fled
I.The number of officers available to assist with trailing
2.The Bloodhound Handler will evaluate the circumstances to determine suitability to
utilize a bloodhound.
3.The Bloodhound Handler must communicate a plan of action with his/her search team
and direct the actions of search team members in order to effect a safe and thorough
search with the Bloodhound.
A.Safety concerns of a bloodhound team include vehicular traffic, potentially
violent suspects, stray animals and other environmental hazards.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
BLOODHOUND PROCEDURE
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/03/12, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentBLOODHOUND PROCEDURE - 34.If a criminal suspect is being sought, a minimum of three officers will be used to assist
the Bloodhound Handler with search team operations unless circumstances are such
that this is impractical or unsafe.
A.The search team should include cover officers and an arrest team
5.Bloodhound tracking often requires intense physical movement and maneuvering, as
such, search teams should be selected accordingly.
3091.7 PUBLIC RELATIONS
1.All requests for public relations activities shall be reviewed and approved by the Canine
Sergeant.
2.All personnel assigned to public relations duties shall prepare themselves, their dogs
and all equipment in such a manner as to present a professional image.
3.Bloodhound Handlers will take into consideration the capabilities and limitations of the