The Canine Unit is supervised by a Commander who reports to the deputy chief of the Operations Division.
The Canine Unit assigns one canine to each of its officers. The primary purpose of a police canine is to support the line officer and enhance officer safety. As such, the Canine Unit aims to have canine units patrolling the City twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Canine Unit officer’s duty assignments are city-wide.
Canine officers are expected to perform all the duties of a district officer with the exception of transporting individuals in the back of their squad.
In addition to providing the line officer support to enhance officer safety, the canine is to be used as a locating tool to conduct functions including but not limited to:
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Suspect tracks
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Building searches
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Open area searches
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Evidence searches
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Narcotics searches
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Explosives searches
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Other duties as assigned
Canine officers will regularly conduct public demonstrations to promote the use and understanding of how canines function as a law enforcement tool.
Kenneling or Housing Police Canines
Officers assigned to the Canine Unit will be allowed to keep their assigned police canines at home with them while off-duty.
A canine may be housed in an enclosed area approved by the Canine Unit supervisor, at the canine officer’s home. When the canine is kept at the assigned officer’s home, the officer will ensure that the canine is either in a secured area, a secured kennel, or under the officer’s direct control at all times.
Squad Heat Alarms
All Canine Unit squad cars will have a properly functioning, department-approved heat alarm system installed. The heat alarm system must be turned on whenever a canine is inside a squad car. If the system malfunctions, the squad car must be immediately taken out of service and a spare canine squad car shall be used until the system is repaired. Per Code of Federal Regulations Section 9 CFR 3.15, canine squad cars must maintain a temperature between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit while the canine is in the vehicle.
Updated June 18, 2019