Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.29 Canine Police Policy
4.29.3 Organizational Procedures (Revised : 2/16/17)
A. Duties and Responsibilities
1. The FSD Captain
The FSD Captain is responsible for the overall Canine Unit operation. This shall
be accomplished primarily through the Canine Unit Coordinator. The FSD
Captain ensures that required budget requests, activity reports, training, discipline
and control within the Unit are accomplished in an effective and timely manner.
Additionally, the FSD Captain selec ts the coordinator of the Canine Unit from the
ranks of Police Sergeants. Periodically, the FSD Captain may be required to
appear for public demonstrations of the Police Department Canine Unit.
2. The Canine Unit Coordinator
a. Selection and Assignment
The Canine Unit Coordinator is selected from the rank s of Police
Sergeant s by the FSD Captain . All Sergeants, regardless of assignment
within the Department, are eligible for the position. Applicants for the
Canine Unit Coordinator position will submit a letter of interest to the
FSD Captain . Oral interviews and performance reviews may be included
in the selection process. The duration of assignment to the Canine Unit
Coordinator position sh all be limited only by the incumbent Coordinator’s
desire to surrender the position or a lack of acceptable performance in the
management of the Canine Unit. The duties of the Canine Unit
Coordinator are ancillary to that individual’s normal assignment.
b. General Responsibilities
The Canine Unit Coordinator is responsible for the operations of the
Canine Unit. The Coordinator assists in the selection of the canine
handler, oversees and schedules the basic and maintenance training within
the Unit, ensure s that periodic certification requirements are met,
supervises the canine team(s) within the Department, attends to equipm ent
and logistical issues and prepares budgets and reports for the FSD Captain,
as required.
c. Specific Responsibilities
The Canine Un it Coordinator is responsible for the following tasks:
(1) Coordination o f the handler selection process
(2) Coordination of basic and maintenance training with the
Department’s Training Coordinator an d Canine Trainer
(3) Maintenance of all records (includ ing m edical records) for each
canine
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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(4) Budgeting for and ordering necessary supplies
(5) Scheduling and coordinating publi c service canine demonstrations
(6) Monitoring the performance and quality of each canine team
(7) Preparing monthly and annual status and statistical reports
(8) Review ing and maintaining all canine use reports
(9) Ensuring that each canine te am maintains POST certification
(10) Maintaining liaison with the Department’s canine trainer
(11) Providing for necessary care of retired canin es, as necessary
(12) Completing canine handler performance reviews
(13) Ensuring compliance with Canine Unit operational procedures and
General Orders.
3. The Canine Handler
a. Selection Criteria
Candidates for the position of Canine Handler must possess the following
minimal qualifications:
(1) Have at least two years ’ experience as a Police Officer and p ossess
a POST Basic Certificate
(2) Have attained regular status as a Police Officer with the UCSF
Police Department
(3) Have strong character tr aits such as maturity, patience, initiative,
flexibility, dependability, enthusiasm, emotional stability and
sound work ethic
(4) Possess excellent verbal a nd written communication skills
(5) Be in goo d physical condition and health
(6) Possess above avera ge interpersonal skills when interacting with
the public and other employees
(7) Have the ability to properly house a Police Can ine at their place of
residence, including an ad equate fence with locking gates
(8) Maintain a home life compatible with the int roduction of the
canine
(9) Make the commitment to dedicate the time necessary to m aintain
and care for the canine
(10) Demonstrate strong, prof essional public -speaking skills
(11) Be comfortable with and around dogs
(12) Live wi thin 45 miles of the Univer sity
(13) Have a p ersonnel record containing no “sustained” use of force
complaints and no pattern of discipline problems
(14) Be willing to commit to the position for the career of the canine,
typically five to seven years .
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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b. The Selection Process
The s election process for the position of Police Canine Handler will
consist of submission of a detailed letter s of interest, oral interviews, a
staff review of applicants and a psychological exam. The final selection
will be made by the Chief of Police on the basis of the cumulative results
of the different stages of the selection process.
c. Duration of Assignment
Once selected, the Police Canine Handler will be teamed with a Police
Canine. The duration of the assignment shall continue throughout the
career of the Police Canine, typically five to seven years or more. It has
been determined that it is not productive to assign various handlers with a
single Police Ca nine during the animal’s career; therefore, it is imperativ e
that the Poli ce Canine Handler commit him/ herself to this p rogram for a
minimum period of five to seven years.
Because of the nature of the assignment, the Police Canine Handler will
not have the opportunity to apply for or be assigned to