Dr, MW writes a scathing commentary on what he perceives as innappropriate policing:

"It should be noted the USA is one of the most overly policed countries in the world,yet crime is increasing.The deployment of k9's need to be closley monitored.When we have a k9 deployed who can't out when it counts(real life not training)I question it's value.No obedience,no tactics.Who made the k9 handler not only a police officer,a judge & executioner all rolled into one.Surely confrontational policing belongs in yesterdays not on the streets of America today.Litigation involving police k9's allways start after one act 'BITING' never tracking,detection etc Violence starts were knowlegde ends. "

I find that such a post as this defies the actual circumstances and is a fine example of how such shows as "cops" and sensationalizm in the media to draw on emotional responses damages the use of dogs and policing in general in America.
If you look at MOST situations the dogs are more frequently finding than injuring suspects.
"Confrontational" policing as this poster terms it is not a function of the police response but a function of the suspects response and the overwhelming acceptance by the Supreme Court of force commenserate with the resistance, threat to the public and law enforcement and degree of crime committed.
This poster is directing the need for policing as a function of policing itself as if police exist therefore crime and violent suspects exists and if wee'd just back off it would all go away. If the society we all exist in isn't up to par socially it is not the fault of the police but a symptom of a propblem they are directed to respond to. We're NOT social workers, we're not the courts, but, we are expected to capture and bring to the courts the perpetrators of those crimes. K-9 is ONE tool in the basket (one that more frequently is used to locate suspects, evidence & contraband than as a application of force and even as an application of force has a long history of generally mild injury to a suspect while increasing the safety of the people tasked with capturing them) that has seen overwhelming support in the appealate courts eventhough their use has been assaulted by plaintifs legal prostitutes over and over.
This poster says we are "over policed" OK so do we just stop? I'll bet your the first one to complain when I don't show up at your doorstep upon request.

Good points, Kevin.

Afghanistan is one of the most UNDER-policed countries on Earth. Wouldn't we all love to live there? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Pete Felknor

I too posted a response to "Dr. MW." It's over on the thread "Outing Police Service Dogs."

 Quote:

This poster says we are "over policed" OK so do we just stop? I'll bet your the first one to complain when I don't show up at your doorstep upon request.

I'm not a LEO, but I have quite a few good friends that are, and the above statment is more then right on the money. People like our good Dr. here really piss me off with statments like "Over Policed" what a crock of shite that is! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> the only people that think about "Over Policing" are crooks.... what a shock! The LEO's here would give their lives for a jerk like you and you sit there and complain about K-9 Outs....my friends are out there every night dealing with whacked people and I for one and glad they do it, and if your not prepaired to become a LEO yourself and really know what's going on behind the station doors, you need to shut the hell up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

Surely confrontational policing belongs in yesterdays not on the streets of America today

Tell that to the guy holding the Mac 10 to your wifes head while his buddies rape her.

Sorry everyone... this really really pisses me off.

Kevin has hit the nail on the head as well as others on this thread. I believe! that being proactive rather than reactive would help policing become much easier for everyone but that's not always the case. I know that on the spot dissisions can effect a police officer and the entire department, but maturity and common scence can get you along ways. Ikor made a simulair statement on another thread. The postion of K9 officer is a big responsiability, a postion with a lot of rewards but also long stressful days. Anyone who thinks that closing your eyes and pretend that it will all get better had better check the color of their sky in their world. I have been to many third world countries and seen their idea of policing some good some real bad thank god for the great US of A.
All I can say is we need to keep the pressure on and continue too clean up the streets. If it means deploying a K9 to get the job done (with discretion)so be it! Policies somtimes I feel are made by people who have no clue what a road officer faces or what they needs. Administration WAKE UP!
Again it's only my opinon, not to offend anyone!
Be Safe Everyone!

Lewis Fronk/Argo

Kevin wrote: "K-9 is ONE tool in the basket (one that more frequently is used to locate suspects, evidence & contraband than as a application of force and even as an application of force has a long history of generally mild injury to a suspect while increasing the safety of the people tasked with capturing them)"

I would like to add one more point. Not only does the K9 "tool" make it safer for the officers (people) tasked with capturing criminals, but it also makes it safer for criminals themselves.

Think about it, would you rather get SHOT because you were trying to maim or kill somebody with a baseball bat, or would you rather get BIT? I've been bit, and it wasn't all that bad.

There are cases where departments have lowered their number of shooting incidents by increasing their number of available K9 teams. San Diego PD is one.

It burns me up when people talk about criminals
rights.As far as I'm concerned,if you break the
law you've thrown your rights out the window.
There are those who say criminals have rights also,
but i have no sympathy for anyone who knowingly
breaks a law,and then has something bad happen to
them(like getting bit by a k-9.) If run from a police officer,and he send's his k-9,and you get
bit on the ass,don't come crying to me,you caused
the bite,not the officer. It's simple,don't break
the law,and you won't get bit. The judicial system
is too soft on criminals,that's why crime is steady on the rise. It's like giving a nagging
correction in training,your dog just ignores you.
But put on a prong and a level 10 correction and
he'll start to mind.

I heard someone once say that the K9 is the only piece of police equipment that can be recalled.I think that the use of K9 teams needs to be a little more aggresive and I don't mean with bites, More show of force with the teams, more proactive with gangs control, drugs and the trafficing of drugs. The K9 teams are busting their asses to clean the streets up but,some of our judges, politicians and law makers are tying our hands, righting polices that are in favor of the criminal. Ask the street officer his views on this subject with out any reprocutions from the administration, I bet you hear a diffrent tune! As far as a criminals rights which seem to be more than law abiding citizens we all know how that goes. The justice system is a double edge sword, I have found out that the criminal just knows how to use the system better while we have the same rights we haven't been put into a situation to use them!
K9 teams save lives, and we as K9 handelers just need to say what we feel, train our game! and not let wanna be's decide for us! let them walk a month in our shoes!
Be Safe out there!
Lewia and Argo

Well said Lewis, I personaly would like to thank you and your partner and all other k-9 teams out there, for putting your butts on the line everyday.
Thanks

bk4jon, I'll second your post!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />