Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOP TED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 12/09/2021
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS703 – Controlled Substances K 9 Training 1 SS703 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES K-9 TRAINING SAMPLES DRUGS
SS.703.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this procedure is to describe the process for requesting suitable controlled
substance samples to be obtained for K -9 training use. Furthermore, this procedure outlines the
measures necessary for the security and accountability of said controlled substance samples.
SS.703.1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards : 84.1.4
This p rocedure pertains to the following General Orders Policy : §318, §804
SS.703.2 AQUIREMENT PROCEDURE
All necessary controlled substance samples to be utilized for training, may be obtained from either
the Tustin Police Department Property & Evidence Unit, or from an allied agency authorized by
Health & Safety Code § 11367.5. The utilization of a court ord er should be used when obtaining
controlled substance samples from an allied agency. The Canine Unit Coordinator shall maintain
a copy of the court order within his/her Canine Unit records.
When requesting controlled substance samples from the Tustin Police Department Property &
Evidence Unit, the Canine Unit Coordinator will prepare a memo for the requested samples to be
set aside for K -9 training use from cases which have been adjudicated. Once the determination
has been made as to the suitability of the controlled substances, a Property & Evidence
Technician will prepare a list with the DR #, type of controlled substances and weight for the
Canine Unit Coordinator.
The City Operations Commander will prepare a memo for the Chief’s signature authorizing the
release of the controlled substances. Once the memo has been received, the Property &
Evidence Supervisor and/or Property & Evidence Technician may release the controlled
substance sa mples to the Canine Unit.
A Property Release Form must be completed for each separate DR #.
The Records Management System (RMS) must be changed and the location of the drugs
updated. It is also important the drugs be removed from the burn list.
All ori ginal documentation must be scanned into the case file for documentation purposes. The
Canine Coordinator shall also maintain a copy of all applicable documentation.
CATEGORY DATE ADOP TED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 12/09/2021
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS703 – Controlled Substances K 9 Training 2 When the controlled substances are returned, they will be placed back in the appropriat e narcotic
boxes; an entry on the burn list will be made, adding the controlled substances. The RMS must
be updated. A printout of the update is placed in the K -9 binder documenting all transfers.
SS.703.3 SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Due to the respon sibilities and liabilities involved with possessing readily usable amounts of
controlled substances and the ever -present danger of accidental ingestion of these controlled
substances by the canine, the following procedure shall be strictly followed and adh ered to:
a) All necessary controlled substance training samples shall be acquired from the Tustin
Police Department’s evidence personnel or from allied agencies authorized by Health &
Safety Code § 11367.5 to provide controlled substance training samples. All controlled
substance training samples shall be weighed and tested prior to dispensing to the
individual canine handler;
b) The weight and test results shall be recorded and maintained by the Canine Unit
Coordinator;
c) Any person receiving controlled substance training samples pursuant to Health & Safety
Code § 11367.5 shall maintain custody and control of the controlled substances and shall
keep records regarding any loss of, or damage to, those controlled substances;
d) All controlled substance training samples s hall be inspected, weighed, and tested bi -
annually in alignment with shift -change. The results of the testing shall be recorded and
maintained by the Canine Unit Coordinator;
e) All controlled substance training samples shall be stored in a locked container a t all times,
except during training. The locked container shall be secured in the trunk of the canine
handler’s assigned vehicle, or stored in a locked evidence locker. There are no exceptions
to this procedure;
f) The Canine Unit Coordinator should periodica lly inspect the controlled substance training
samples for damage or tampering and take any appropriate action;
g) Any unusable controlled substance training samples shall be returned to the Property &
Evidence Unit or to the dispensing agency;
h) All controlled substance training samples shall be returned to the dispensing agency upon
the conclusion of the training or upon demand by the dispensing agency;
i) All controlled substance training samples will be replaced on an as -needed basis.