K-9 Police Questions...?

Raven

Every K-9 officer has their own reason for becoming part of that unit. It can be a very selective process; each department has their own protocols.

Yes, the dog is considered an officer. He or she generally has a "salary", is medically covered by the department, and gets a "uniform". If the dog is assaulted on the job, the charge is usually "assaulting an officer". Police dogs killed in the line of duty generally get departmental honors just like they would if they were a person.

When the dog's shift is over, he or she usually goes home with his or her partner. When the dog retires, the partner may keep the dog, or a suitable home is found for the dog. I know several cops who have retired police dogs as pets.

The duties of the K-9 unit vary from department to department, and also the training of the dog. Some drug dogs are on patrol with their partners during the entire shift, for instance, while tracking dogs may be brought in only when needed. When not actively performing duties, the dogs may ride in the patrol car along with their partners. Naturally, they are taken out for breaks to eat, drink, and to take care of business.

Novarobin

1. Because they have a genuine interest in the unit. Some training courses can be extremely gruelling, it is for those who are dedicated.
2. Depends on where you are, but usually it is.
3. Canada, no. US, I guess would depend on the state.
4. The dog goes home with the handler. Some have outdoor kennels, some stay in the house. Depends on the dog, handler and department policies.
Retirement, again differs. I know of some agencies that put the dog down when it retires. Most will allow the handler to keep the dog after retirement.
5. the calls they respond to are usually break and enters, robberies, anything where a suspect fled on foot or may have fled on foot. They are also called in situations where the intimidation of the dog may be useful, such as large unruly crowds. Depending on training, they ca respond to drug warrants, bomb calls or anything else a dog may be useful for.
Here, the K9 unit backs up any other officer while not doing K9 work. They do regular patrols, traffic enforcement, etc. They usually do not answer regular complaints or carry files, but that may depend on the department. They also do training while on duty and not answering calls.

ETA- putting the dog down is not as common as it once was, but it still happens. Not here though. It was never an issue of the officer not wanting the dog, it was a percieved liablilty by the department. It is a changing policy. Most officers I know want to keep the dog.

shouldoptnot2

When i was a kid my uncle was a K-9 cop. I loved going to their house because i got to play with max. He was such a good dog. I still miss him. My uncle kept him after he retired. He lived to be an old but good friend. I know my uncle thought of him as a best friend.

lone butcher Spartan remembers

1. Because they are good at the job/are interested in it. It's a good job as an officer if you like it.
2. Yes it is difficult to get into, you have to be not only a fantastic officer but you need to be able to track well/ have good observation skills, and handle the dog perfectly.
3. YES the dog in a K-9 unit IS considered an officer. If you shoot a police dog you will get charged with assaulting an officer, the dog gets a "salary", a "uniform" (vest and the sorts), and usually does have a badge just like a human cop.
4. When it's shift is over it depends on the department, sometimes he's cared for at the PD and other times he goes home with the handler.
5. It gets called any time someone wants to see if there's drugs somewhere, if they need to track someone, if they want to send the dog in to flush someone out when it's too dangerous for an officer, when they want the dog to take someone down (a dog is faster and more intimidating than a human), when they want to intimidate someone into following orders, and lots of other uses.

Carl

You're asking a lot of questions tonight. Glad I am on here to help you!

Regarding your 3rd question- "Is the police dog a cop?" what do you think? NO it's a DOG silly! They are trained to HELP HUMANS/police officers but they are not cops . they are animals!

leslie

no one answered my question when the k 9 is off duty does he get treated like your average dog anyway god bless are 4 legged cops god speed doggie cops

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