By Sandy Bryson

Product # 926

"I know to an absolute certainty these dogs are valuable tools. They are less than lethal tools. They find felony suspects. But most important, they save policemen's lives." Lt. Edward Baker (Los Angeles City Sheriff's Dept., California).

"The dog is a tactical tool. Make him part of the plan. But do not let the dog be the plan." Deputy Jim Barnes (El Dorado City Sheriff's Dept., California).

After a century of service, American police dog teams have developed efficient, reliable tactics for detection and apprehension. It is important to publish these techniques in order to share what we have learned with new K-9 officers and administrators. At a time when use of force issues and the impact of the Fair Labor Standards Act, upon law enforcement personnel threaten the existence of canine units, it is essential that the public and the courts understand the value of K-9 in the evolving technology. Increasingly, dogs are called to find missing persons and victims of disasters such as the Pacific Rim earthquakes, some exceeding a momentary magnitude of 7.5, that trap or kill many people.

The police dog is a tactical tool. Unlike hardware, however, the police dog is alive. He has a brain. On the street, canine intelligence gives the officer a tactical advantage but also a major technical challenge. Performing with a K-9 is an order of magnitude more complex than working without the dog. This is true whether the dog is a specialist search dog or used exclusively for patrol or cross trained. The teamwork must be there, the timing, the technique, and the strong drive.

About the Author:

Police Dog Tactics is Sandy Bryson's fifth book, her third about canines in law enforcement. A police and rescue dog handler and trainer since 1974, Bryson instructs police dog teams for law enforcement agencies. Founder of the first rescue dog unit in California, she coauthored the UC Davis Study, "The Role of Canines in Police Work." She is a reserve deputy for El Dorado County Sheriff's Department and Alpine County Sheriff's Department, California.

Table of Contents

 I. The Friendly Force
             1. Police Dog Operations for Urban and Rural Areas
             2. Statements by Selected K-9 Trainers and Officers

II.  Police Dog Program Management

             1. K-9 Program Design - Legal Preparation for Police
                 Dog Units
             2. Officer, Dog, and Team Selection - Initial Training
                 Program
             3. K-9 Program Implementation - Tasking
                 Maintenance Training

III. On the Street -  The Tactical Lead

             1. Contact-Cover - Vehicle Stops - Robberies,
                 Burglaries In-Progress
             2. Fights - Domestic Disputes - Pursuits - SWAT
                 Operations

IV.  Finding Offenders

             1. Building Searches - Major metropolitan areas -
                 Rural areas
             2. Area Searches - Cities - Backcountry

V. Prison Patrol

             1. Perimeter Patrol - Yard Duty and Work Camps
             2. Riot Control - Cell Extractions - Transporting
                 Inmates or Wards
             3. Escapes - Parole Operations

VI.  Evidence Search

             1. Open Areas - Crime scenes - Fires - Aircraft
                 Crashes

VII. Drug Search

             1. Building - Vehicles - Parcels - Aircraft - Vessels -
                 Open areas

VIII.  Search and Rescue

               1. Hasty Searches - Area Searches - Urban Disasters
               2. Water Searches - Avalanches

IX.  Bomb Dogs

               1. Operations - Resources

X. International Service

               1. Team Medical - Passports, Visas, and Travel
                   Papers
               2. Support  Supplies - International Disaster Incidents