The Use of K-9 Unit in Law Enforcement

Role and Duties of K-9 Officers

K-9 is a unit in the police force. It specializes in the use of service dogs to carry out the roles, duties and responsibilities that are similar to those of general police officers. Any police officer who is registered as a K-9 officer is expected to carry out the duties of a dog handler. Their duties include training and taking care of their dogs. They act as partners to the dogs both in and out of their shifts. It is the responsibility of K-9 officers to ensure that their canine partners are healthy and live long to perform their duties. The duties of the officers can be divided into general police officer duties and specialized tasks. Under the general officer duties, K-9 officers and their dog partners respond to duty calls and emergencies or go on traffic stops. The dog partners help in the apprehension of suspects or any other law enforcement engagements. Under the specialized tasks, K-9 units are expected to carry out specific jobs like detecting illegal chemicals and substances. The police dog performs the leading role in such operations.

Treatment of K-9 Units in Different States and Nations

K-9 units are treated differently in different States and nations; depending on the set laws. For instance, in Arizona, police K-9s are not considered as law enforcement officers; they are treated as working animals. Harming or killing a K-9 deliberately in the State is classified as cruelty to animals, not an aggravated assault or murder of an officer (12 News, 2018). In Canada, there are specific laws which are broken when a person assaults, obstructs or kills a K-9 dog even though they are not considered as police officers. In Colorado State, obstructing or assaulting a K-9 dog is treated as damage to property or cruelty to animals.

Laws and Protection for K-9 Units

In the United States, there is a federal law that protects K-9 units. It is considered a federal offense for a person to harm any animal that is used in the enforcement of law. The law, which was implemented in August, is aimed at protecting the K-9 dog partners and deterring criminals from targeting them (Robinson, 2018). The law appreciates the animals as something more valuable than police equipment and property. There is also a law that protects the public from injuries inflicted by the K9 dogs. If the dogs cause damage or injure a person, the police department is held liable. However, there are certain circumstances when police dogs are used forcefully to restrain suspects. They include the severity of the crime, immediate threats posed by the suspect to the public or resistance of arrest by the suspect (Alpert & Dunham, 2004). In such instances, the court can justify the use of police dog force. Most of the liabilities for K-9 units arise as a result of the use of excessive force (Dorriety, 2005). The police department can also be held liable if they hire and train dog handlers with negligence.

Importance of K-9 Units in Law Enforcement

The K-9 unit is considered an important department in the police force and in law enforcement. The commonly used dogs for the purpose are German Shepherds, which are used to search for criminals, protect specific people, look for illicit drugs and substances as well as rescue missing people (Dorriety, 2005). The dogs wear ballistic vests for protection from injuries and assaults. The presence of K-9 dogs is important in the enforcement of law because their presence besides the police officers is a form of deterrence to crime. Deterrence involves the use of strategies that create fear among potential criminals to discourage them from engaging in crime.

References

12 News. (2018, April 19). Is killing a K9 the same as killing a human police officer?

Alpert, G. P., & Dunham, R. G. (2004). Understanding police use of force: Officers, suspects, and reciprocity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Dorriety, J. K. (2005). Police Service Dogs in the Use-of-Force Continuum. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 16(1)

Robinson, B. (2018, August 9). Federal Law Now Protects Canine Cops