Hello all,

Hopefully this is the appropriate place to post this topic. I looked around and this was the most fitting forum I could find.

I've also posted this on a few other boards, so some of you may have seen this question already.

I'm currently in a battle with my PD trying to get back the take home car I was promised before I obtained my detector dog. When I returned with the dog after training, I was told I would not be able to take the cruiser home. The chief gave me what I thought were "excuses" rather than valid reasons I could not take the car home.

Could those of you who work for municipal departments let me know if you have a take home car. If so, could you give me some good reasons why a K9 unit should have a take home car.

Thanks

Rob,
I am a Police K9 handler and have been since 1992. When I got in the unit in 1992 we had take home cars for the K9 Unit's (1997 the whole department went to take home cars).
One issue, and I didn't see it was mentioned in your post, is the car or vehicle should be equipped with a special containment system for the dog. Basically for the safety of the dog. If you work in an aspect of the job where you run lights and siren this is a must. The dogs need a solid base to get their footing or lay down when the car is moving fast.
The other issue along those lines is that k9 units generally have to run a further ditance with lights and siren than a beat unit so your risk of becoming involved in an accident increases no matter how safely you run, running with lights and sirens increases your risk of an accident. The dog need to be as protected as much as possible in the event of an accident. An airline crate not secured in a back seat or back of SUV is not the same.
Another issue is you are taking home an animal designed to be a tool to aid your department. This tool is unique in that it concstantly needs to be maintained and taken care of. It is not like my portable radio that I bring home and pop in a charger unitl I go to work again, or a gun I render safe until I work again. This is a living, breathing animal that needs constant care.
We get 1 1/2 hours per duty day to care for our dogs (we work 7 hour shifts, others work 8 1/2 hours) and I constantly hear from ignorant officers "You got it easy".....Right. No one gets into taking a K9 because of shorter days. If they do it will soon become apparent they made a mistake. With that said the dog needs to be taken to the vet. Rountinely and in emergencies so a vehicle is essential for that.
Then there are the issues of being called out. Once you establish yourself people will want to use your services all the time. No matter your position (patrol, dual purpose or detector) when you are called out time is of the essence. Are you going to take the time to drive to the station get a aquad and then go? Or respond from home in your squad?
Lastly are 2 more issues. One I will mention, but I am not a lawyer so I will not state an opinion. FLSA time. That maybe a consideration you want to research. The other issue is having a car you are familiar with mechanically. Your dog depends on a safe climate controlled enviroment when you are away from the car. If you take a pool car and for example the A/C was hit and miss the dog could die on a hot summer day in a matter of minutes. Although the take home car, assigned to you, can't totally prevent it I believe having a car that you know when it is serviced, any quirks it is showing etc. is far safer than a car you share with others 24 hours a day.
I hope this helps. I did not mean to go on a soap box, but these are all issues that need to be considered.

Thanks Steve for the input.

To clarify, the car that I use is set up with a Ray Allen insert. Right now, I drive my POV into work, pick up the cruiser and return home to get the dog. I've already told my chief I will not transport in my POV and he understands and agrees with the reasons I gave him. (Although I've got quite a few of the other officers wondering why I won't transport him in my personal vehicle)...but anyway...

The car is set up for K9 use but is still available for other officers to use when I'm off duty.

I just think it makes much more sense to take the car home and use it exclusively for K9. I could leave my gear in the car and respond much more quickly that way.

I'm trying to get an idea if the majority of K9 units have their own cruisers and if so, are they able to take them home. I'm also trying to gather as many reasons as I can for justifying a take home car so when I meet with the powers that be, I will have sufficient "ammo" to support my case.

I can't speak for the whole country, but in my area I can't think of a department that K9 handlers do not take their squads home. The equipment in the car is a good issue as well. Good luck, I hope the issue gets settled for you.

I understand your frustration with your department. But, the take home car issue is really a management decision. There may be some contractual issues represented by a contract with your bargaining unit but you would need to talk with those responsible for that in your union/association.
There are FLSA issues that come up also but not with your issue over the take home car but compensation for home care of your dog if it is owned by the department.

i talked to a good buddy in the RCMP and my neighbour who is a municipal k9 police officer,they both have take home vehicles and swear by that system,they say that for call outs it is a lot faster than having to drive to HQ and getting in there suv's. they also stated that it reduces the possibilites of the spreading of diseases that the dogs may have.

dont know if this helps.
Rob

We have take home’s at our PD… in fact, most departments in Western PA do except for the City of Pittsburgh. Go to the Eastern side of the state and take home’s for K9 is almost unheard of.

As Kevin pointed out it’s more of a management issue. You can’t force them, only give rational reasons why you should have it and see if they bite.

We agreed to forgo our FLSA money in return for the take home’s… to me the car is worth more than the $6.00 a day we were getting.

Other than the issues Kevin pointed out...a take home car means nothing but positive things for the department. Obviously response times are severely cut for call outs. Also, there are numerous reasons the car will be used for transport of the dog that is not exactly connected to your tour of duty. Emergency transport of the dog to the vet is one. Additionally...who is going to pay if the dog or civilian gets injured while using you POV for transport while enroute to the station? Is the PD going to pay for any damage to your POV as a result of damage by your K9. Is your personal insurance going to cover you while transporting the dog?

Take home cars are documented to stay in service longer and look better as well because the majority of officers take pride in a vehicle they almost beleive is theirs. There is reportedly a crime deterrent and it is good for PR. Before you know it they might want to have your dog kenneled to curcumvent the home care pay. That is another disaster in itself.

Howard