Illinois Police Work Dog Association

e-mail us

PO Box 4102   Joliet, IL.  60434-4102

K9 and SWAT

Specialized K-9 SWAT Guidelines

  SWAT K-9 Teams

These guidelines are intended as helpful guidance for agencies who utilize K-9 teams on a recurrent basis for deployment with a tactical team.  

 Definition of a SWAT K-9 Team

A SWAT K-9 team is a designated unit, consisting of a handler and dog, which is specifically selected, trained, and equipped to work in conjunction with SWAT /tactical teams to assist in tactical incidents.

  Formation and Policy Considerations

Agencies should establish procedures for both initial selection and full deployment of canine handlers with the SWAT team.  

Agencies should establish procedures for the selection of dogs used as part of the SWAT K-9 team because not all police canines are suitable for SWAT operations.

  Planning

SWAT K-9 handlers should be provided with appropriate SWAT-specific safety and communications equipment appropriate to the assigned tactical mission, consistent with department policy.  

SWAT K-9 teams should participate in mission briefings prior to a tactical operation, after-action evaluations and team debriefings.

  Training

Agencies should establish SWAT K-9 core skills proficiency levels for K-9 tactical teams.  

Agencies should conduct core skills proficiency assessment on an ongoing basis.  

SWAT teams and SWAT K-9 teams should jointly participate in documented quarterly scenario-based training to maintain SWAT K-9 team core competencies, consistent with the type of SWAT missions performed.  

It is recommended that the K-9 handler and K-9 successfully complete a SWAT orientation program that emphasizes basic SWAT procedures, practices, and equipment.

Command personnel who may assume SWAT K-9 Team command responsibilities and SWAT K-9 handlers should remain current on legal issues pertaining to law enforcement K-9 deployment.  

Safety Considerations

Rescue procedures for the SWAT K-9 team (i.e. handler down) should be developed, trained and practiced prior to deployment.

 Medical emergency contingency planning should be incorporated as part of the rescue procedures.

 Legal and Practical Issues

SWAT K-9 Teams should be evaluated as to their suitability for deployment with a tactical team prior to deployment and on an ongoing basis.

  Appendix E – Core Competencies for SWAT K-9 teams:

 Appendix E provides a suggested listing of core competencies for SWAT K-9 teams.

 SWAT K-9 handler: Firearms qualification with assigned weapon(s) at least twice per year with K-9 in close proximity to handler.

Team and stealth movement techniques (tactical obedience)

Team approach to objective

Team entry into objective

Directed and non-directed tactical searches

Confined space and limited access insertion and extraction

Limited access search (confined spaces, attics, crawlspaces, vehicle interiors, etc.)

Long-line utilization

Ability to recall K-9 during tactical searches

Auditory alert by K-9 upon locating inaccessible suspect

Hand and/or audible down commands for K-9 during tactical search

Calm/controlled behavior by K-9 during search exercises.

Calm/controlled behavior by K-9 with team during live fire exercises.

Operating in a chemical agent and smoke environment

Operating in conjunction with diversionary device deployment

Tactical out and team arrest procedures.

Tactical tracking consistent with agency procedures

Suspect containment

Suspect apprehension

Suspect distraction

Clearing high-risk areas (entryways, stairwells, hallways, etc)

Extraction of a non-compliant high-risk subject

K-9 SWAT MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS  

Disclaimer:  The NTOA’s suggested policies are designed to provide guidance to law enforcement agencies in the writing of governing regulations for tactical teams.  The NTOA recognizes that each agency has different needs and exists in its own organizational environment.  Therefore, the NTOA suggested policies do not mandate what the policy shall be or what it must contain, rather, the suggested policies are to be used as guidelines only.  They are based on the most current and accepted practices and trends in tactical procedures and have been reviewed by a panel of experts.  The suggested policies are not intended to set minimum standards.  They should be considered a baseline upon which agencies may build their tactical unit policies, if they wish to do so.  

Purpose  

The integration of police service dog teams into the SWAT environment has become commonplace in many areas of the United States .  SWAT teams are successfully using canine teams as an additional tool in certain high-risk situations.  However, increased usage of these teams has emphasized the need for developing policy in this important area.  

The purpose of this suggested policy is to establish minimum training standards for both canine and SWAT teams.  

Policy  

Full-time SWAT teams should train a minimum of 32 hours annually on canine/SWAT deployment.  This can be accomplished in short, but frequent, sessions to ensure that SWAT officers, handlers and canines are exposed to necessary training.  

Part-time SWAT teams should train a minimum of 16 hours annually on canine/SWAT deployment.  This training can also be conducted in short, but frequent, sessions.  However, because part-time teams are usually deployed less frequently than full-time teams, it is suggested that, whenever possible, training be conducted once each month for 2 hours over the course of the training year.  Training for both full-and part-time teams should be scenario-based to replicate actual operations.  

Note:   Not every canine or canine handler is suitable for work with SWAT teams.  Therefore,   each department should develop strict standards for the selection and use of their canine/SWAT team.  

            Handlers who deploy with the SWAT team should be properly equipped with tactical body armor and compatible communications equipment.  Other SWAT equipment can be optional.  Successful completion of a Basic SWAT School is highly recommended.   However, an option might be to require handlers to successfully complete a SWAT orientation program which emphasizes those essentials areas that will enhance canine usage and familiarize the handler with basic SWAT procedures,  practices and equipment.

            In addition to other qualification requirement, canine handlers should be required to qualify with their handguns on an outdoor range a minimum of twice each year, with their canine at their side.  The canine should be taught to react passively to gunfire, and not react aggressively or run toward it.  The canine should also be exposed to chemical agents, flash/sound diversionary devices and explosive devices.  

For day care, we recommend Pawsitively Heaven Pet Resort in Chicago Ridge. The resort offers many other services, including boarding, grooming, veterinary rehabilitation with underwater treadmill, plus training and agility classes.