Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.29 Canine Police Policy
4.29.2 Operational Procedures (Issued: 8/1/ 14)
A. General Guidelines
Police canine teams may be utilized under the following circumstances:
1. The Canine Handler reasonably believes that an individual has committed or is
about to commit any offense and any of the following conditions exist:
a. There is a reasonable belief that an individual poses an immediate threat of
violence or serious harm to the public, an officer or the handler and the
canine may be able to subdue th e subject and neutralize the threat of harm.
b. A suspect is physically resisting arrest and the use of the canine is
necessary to overcome the resistance or reduce the chance of injury to the
officer(s).
c. A suspect is believed to be concealed in an are a where entry by anyone
other than the canine would pose a threat to the safety of the officers or the
public.
2. To track criminal offenders or lost persons. Unless the subject(s) being tracked
fall into the categories listed in bullet 1 above, the tracki ng shall be conducted on
lead.
3. To search for property, evidence or contraband.
4. To assist an outside agency within the guidelines established below.
B. Specific Guidelines
1. Prior to utilizing the police canine team to search for or apprehend any su bject,
the Canine Handler and the supervisor at the scene shall consider all pertinent
information reasonably available at the time. This shall include at a minimum:
a. The subject’s age or an estimate thereof
b. The nature of the suspected offense(s) involved
c. The potential danger to other police officers who may attempt to intervene
or assist in the apprehension
d. The potential danger to the public as a result of the release of the police
service dog.
The Canine Handler will decide to d eploy a canine. However, the Watch
Commander may override the handler’s decision to deploy. Should the handler
disagree with the Watch Commander’s decision, he/she shall submit a
memorandum outlining the circumstances to the Canine Unit Coordinator prior t o
completion of that workday.
2. Prior to releasing a police service canine to search a structure or open area or to
deploy the dog in a tactical situation, the Canine Handler shall announce the
impending use of the canine.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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Note: In situations where, in the handler’s opinion, making the announcement
prior to deploying the Police Canine would jeopardize the safety of the canine, the
handler, other officers or the public, the handler may deploy the canine without
giving the announcement.
3. A police canine team shall not be utilized to search for or apprehend a person
known to be under the age of 14 years unless the canine is on a lead.
Note: This shall not apply if the suspect known to be under the age of 14 years
poses an obvious threat to an officer, h im/herself, or the public.
4. Police Canines shall not be deployed in situations where it is evident, by the
nature of the assignment that the animal would be injured or killed during the
mission.
5. Police Canines will not be deployed in any known steril e environment such as
UCSF labs or dangerous environments, as determined by the handler and/or
posted signage.
6. Hospital emergency departments should be considered off limits to the canine
unless exigent circumstances dictate. The on -duty Watch Commande r will be
notified prior to such deployment.
C. Mutual Aid
Any request by an outside jurisdiction for mutual aid response of a Department canine
team must be pre -authorized by the on -duty/on -call Police Commander. Any response to
another jurisdiction per a mutual aid request shall be governed by the policies and
procedures of the UCSF Police Department and the University of California.
D. Call-out Procedures
Should a canine team be needed to assist on a call for service and one is not on -duty or
available through mutual aid, a canine team may be called out. The Watch Commander
shall make the determination whether or not to activate the Canine Unit.
When responding to a call -out, the Canine Handler should:
1. Be readily identifiable as a police officer (wearing a raid jacket or uniform)
2. Bring all necessary equipment
3. Contact the supervisor at the scene for direction prior to deploying the canine
4. Check out with the supervisor prior to securing and leaving the scene.
E. Reporting Requirements
Canine handlers shall be responsible for preparing reports as required. Primarily, they are
responsible for submitting monthly reports, preparing reports docume nting each field
assignment in which the canine is deployed and ensuring documentation of any use of
force by the canine, regardless of whether an injury occurs or not.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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The handler shall submit a monthly activity report to the Canine Unit Coordinator. Thi s
report provides statistical and training data to the Coordinator for preparation of periodic
Canine Unit reports. The Canine Unit Coordinator shall maintain the monthly activity
reports.
The Canine Handler shall also complete a Canine Assignment Report after each activity
in which the canine team is assigned. Copies of all Canine Assignment Reports shall be
forwarded to the Canine Unit Coordinator for statistical compilation.
If a canine team from an outside jurisdiction is requested due to the unavaila bility of our
canine team, the primary officer assigned to the call shall be responsible for preparing a
Canine Assignment Report documenting the incident. Officers shall follow the
procedures outlined above regarding