2011 International Police K9 Conference will be held in Simi Valley, California from October 9-14 inclusive. Closing date for registration is August 31st.
Registration can be found at http://www.policek9.com/html/simi_valley_registration.html
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, December 19, 2008
International Police K9 Conference Announcements
We have announced our next spring and summer conference locations in California and Lousiana.
West Coast Conference - Alameda County, California - May 30th - June 5th inclusive - Registration form
Southern States Conference - New Orleans, Louisiana - April 19th - April 24th, inclusive - Registration Form
West Coast Conference - Alameda County, California - May 30th - June 5th inclusive - Registration form
Southern States Conference - New Orleans, Louisiana - April 19th - April 24th, inclusive - Registration Form
Monday, November 10, 2008
CNCA Conference
CNCA
CALIFORNIA NARCOTIC & EXPLOSIVE
CANINE ASSOCIATION
18th Annual Training Seminar
January 12-15, 2009
Burbank, California
HOLIDAY INN MEDIA CENTER, BURBANK CALIFORNIA RESERVE ROOMS EARLY
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (818)841-4770 & MENTION CNCA FOR SPECIAL RATES
NARCOTIC AND EXPLOSIVE
K9 DETECTION TRAINING
-NEW CURRICULM & EXPANDED HOURS- CALIFORNIA POST APPROVED-
Nationally and Internationally recognized as the leader in K9 detection training, CNCA is again bringing you instructors who are experts and leaders in the field of K9 training and handling.
Don Blair: Commercial Vehicle Smuggling Brent Craven : The Aerodynamics of Canine Olfaction
Terry Fleck: K-9 Legal Update for 2009 Dan LaMaster/Chris Bertoli: Basic Handling
Tom Manson: Power Point for Public Safety Rex Stockham/Martin Grime - Forensic Canines
Dan Tagles -Basic K9 EDD/Intro to Terrorism Fred Helfers – Asset Forfeiture
Rich Barrett – Vehicle Interdiction John Pearce – Increasing Proficiency & Performance
Steve Sloan – Parcel Interdiction Scott Blum/Joe Priebe – K9 Supervision
Ken Licklider - Basics of learned behavior! Steve Austin – Foundation of K-9 Detection
Dr. Kirk Yeager – IED update Dr. Ken Furton – Chemistry of Scent
Dr. Pam Reid - Excel-erate Your Dogs Learning Ken Wallentine - Survive and Thrive in Court
Dr. Bill Grant – K-9 First Aid Robert Lukason – Smuggling Trends & Compartments
Robert L. Gillette – K9 Training & Conditioning Randy Hare - K9 BehaviorDavid Kontny - Bombing Prevention & Trends Jim Winder-Administration of Explosive K9 Deployment
Classroom only, No K9’s
-SPACE IS LIMITED-The last two years have
been sold out! Register early!
For complete instructor list, conference fees,
Updated information and pre-registration,
WE WELCOME YOU TO
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.cnca.com
CALIFORNIA NARCOTIC & EXPLOSIVE
CANINE ASSOCIATION
18th Annual Training Seminar
January 12-15, 2009
Burbank, California
HOLIDAY INN MEDIA CENTER, BURBANK CALIFORNIA RESERVE ROOMS EARLY
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (818)841-4770 & MENTION CNCA FOR SPECIAL RATES
NARCOTIC AND EXPLOSIVE
K9 DETECTION TRAINING
-NEW CURRICULM & EXPANDED HOURS- CALIFORNIA POST APPROVED-
Nationally and Internationally recognized as the leader in K9 detection training, CNCA is again bringing you instructors who are experts and leaders in the field of K9 training and handling.
Don Blair: Commercial Vehicle Smuggling Brent Craven : The Aerodynamics of Canine Olfaction
Terry Fleck: K-9 Legal Update for 2009 Dan LaMaster/Chris Bertoli: Basic Handling
Tom Manson: Power Point for Public Safety Rex Stockham/Martin Grime - Forensic Canines
Dan Tagles -Basic K9 EDD/Intro to Terrorism Fred Helfers – Asset Forfeiture
Rich Barrett – Vehicle Interdiction John Pearce – Increasing Proficiency & Performance
Steve Sloan – Parcel Interdiction Scott Blum/Joe Priebe – K9 Supervision
Ken Licklider - Basics of learned behavior! Steve Austin – Foundation of K-9 Detection
Dr. Kirk Yeager – IED update Dr. Ken Furton – Chemistry of Scent
Dr. Pam Reid - Excel-erate Your Dogs Learning Ken Wallentine - Survive and Thrive in Court
Dr. Bill Grant – K-9 First Aid Robert Lukason – Smuggling Trends & Compartments
Robert L. Gillette – K9 Training & Conditioning Randy Hare - K9 BehaviorDavid Kontny - Bombing Prevention & Trends Jim Winder-Administration of Explosive K9 Deployment
Classroom only, No K9’s
-SPACE IS LIMITED-The last two years have
been sold out! Register early!
For complete instructor list, conference fees,
Updated information and pre-registration,
WE WELCOME YOU TO
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.cnca.com
Sunday, October 26, 2008
High Risk Tactical Tracking
High Risk Tactical Tracking: Passing the Baton
PC Pam Carter K9 Unit
PC Todd Arsenault Hostage Rescue/Emergency Task Unit
Niagara Regional Police Service
High-risk tracking is one of the most dangerous aspects of being a K9 handler. The backup officer inherently accepts the risk as they keep the K9 team safe. This was very evident as every police officer waited in anticipation during the intense manhunt of Ralph (Bucky) Phillips in New York State in September of 2006.
A wanted felon, he had shot a State Trooper during a traffic stop. He was not taken into custody at that time and had eventually fled deep into the woods of New York. Every available resource was deployed to capture this dangerous man. A high-risk track was possibly the only opportunity to secure this violent criminal. Prior to being captured, he shot two tactical officers as they were in the woods, killing one of them. He was eventually taken into custody after attempting to flee on foot, but not without a tremendous loss to the policing community.
In another tragic incident, a K9 team were shot and killed during a high-risk track in Polk County, Florida on September 28 2006. K9 Deputy Matt Williams and his partner Police Service Dog Diogi were deployed to track a male who had escaped into the woods after fleeing from a traffic stop. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Williams and his escort as they tracked him, shooting Deputy Williams eight times, killing him. K9 Diogi was also shot and killed during this incident. The escorting deputy was shot once in the leg, wounding him.
The odds are against any K9 team when the suspect lies in wait, an ambush situation that we need to be prepared to encounter. A tactical presence during high-risk tracking is often overlooked in police training and deployment. We need to remember lessons learned from these tragedies when we are tracking dangerous offenders.
The relationship between K9 and the TL (team leader) is critical; K9 provides tactical with an incredible locating tool and tactical provides K9 advance protection and an adaptable arrest team. . Depending on the size of your Service, the TL may consist of a member of the tactical unit, a designated K9 escort, or a patrol officer who has been assigned to that role. In each case, it is imperative that there is an understanding between the two officers as the entire team is potentially entering an ambush situation as they look for an armed suspect. Ensuring that every officer is assigned an area of responsibility and understands their assignment prior to each deployment will greatly reduce the element of surprise when the suspect is finally encountered. This operation, if practiced regularly, can become a smooth and deliberate deployment that will allow you to take individuals into custody with a reduced risk factor. The most critical aspect of this relationship is for each party to know when to assume control and when to pass the baton to the other.
K9 Perspective/Preparing your K9 for high risk deployment
The K9 officer and their Police Service Dog (PSD) need to be a fluid team before they are confronted with any high-risk track. This requires experienced teamwork as the ramifications are severe if mistakes are made. The more comfortable you are working as a team, the easier the exercise will be. One of the most important aspects is the relationship that you have with your PSD, and the relationship between your PSD and the escorts.
Preparation is the key. If you are going to be working with a fairly consistent team and the PSD will be expected to perform with them, it is imperative that they have been exposed to each other. This can be done during training exercises or when your tactical team is preparing for warrants or a high risk takedown. Bring your PSD into the building where the meeting is going to be held during preparation for the warrant. Then if the circumstances allow, your PSD is brought into the room where you will be briefed. He is not on lead, no obedience is expected from him, he is free to wander and sniff as he pleases. There should be no stress in this portion of the training, you want your dog to learn to relax around your team mates. Depending on the dog’s temperament, the officers are free to pet him, ignore him, whatever works for them. The point is to desensitize your dog to their presence. Seeing the tactical officers should not automatically signal your PSD that they are immediately headed to work. Once you have your assignments, follow the team as they head to a training area if they proceed with rehearsals. This is in full gear, exiting their respective vehicles, yelling as if giving commands to the suspects and announcing their presence. This is a great time to have your PSD at the sidelines watching. Correct him for barking or whining, and keep him calm. Reward him for his quiet behavior, there is nothing wrong with giving him his tug, toy, whatever will lower his stress. There is a lot of movement and noise that may trigger him to bark. It is important that your PSD learns to be quiet at the onset; you cannot have the dog sabotage the entry of the team to a residence because of their nervous noise. If he gets vocal, you can move a few steps backward. When he has been quiet for a period of time, he can then move forward. Positive behavior allows him to move closer to the action. Small steps with the desensitization will give you a better chance that reliable behavior will be repeated at the actual deployment. Use the training from warrant preparation, it will assist you when you are tracking with tactical officers in full gear that can look very similar to agitation equipment. Having your PSD present at as many tactical training days as possible, is a way to prepare your dog for the elements of high risk tracking. Having the tactical team members play with your PSD, throwing the ball or playing tug of war is a great way to set a base for the desired behaviour.
It is also important to ensure your PSD is used to working with the distraction of a team trailing behind them. They need to be focused at the task at hand, and not concerned about what is behind them or the extra noise of the escort officers. Practice this ahead of time.
K9 Deployment
The TL needs to be the eyes and ears of the K9 team as the handler is occupied watching for the subtle behavior changes of the dog. This TL is directly behind the handler and acts as his bodyguard and his eyes up front. As all K9 handlers already take into account, wind direction can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Although we have no control over this factor, we must be very aware of the possible effects. A handler must communicate the possible effects to the TL prior to the track, and ensure that he/she educates other back-up officers who are part of the tracking team. Due to tracking downwind, or possibly the suspect doubling back, the K9 team may pass through an area without detecting the suspect. It is important, therefore, that other officers understand that, through no fault of the K9 team, they may be the first to spot the armed suspect and he may actually be very close in proximity.
Throughout the track, it is imperative that the K9 handler consistently updates the TL as to changes in the PSD’s behavior. For example, if the handler notices the dog’s head is up, possibly indicating the PSD is air-scenting the suspect, this needs to be communicated immediately to the TL. The TL has the opportunity to warn his backup team with that information. If it proves not to be the suspect, no foul, but a few second lead to the location of the suspect is one of the valuable aspects of using a PSD as a locating tool.
The PSD needs to have repeated this training maneuver many times prior to an operational deployment. The K9 team can practice this exercise without an escort team, then by the time you add the tactical officers it will be much less of a distraction for the dog. It is important to keep the track fun for the dog. The slow pace, downs, and distance have to be introduced separately. The dog needs to know that finding the badger is their priority. Start with a training exercise where you know exactly where the badger is hidden and then reward him for those early indications. If the operational track is old, there might not be a tremendous amount of odour at the beginning of the track. If your PSD is very leash sensitive, he might be confused at the slower pace required for high-risk tracking. This can shut down some dogs if they are not used to this pace or being slowed down by pressure on the harness. They need to realize that the consistent pull on their harness is not a correction. This is where an occasional “down” can be more appropriate. It provides the fully kitted ETU officer a reasonable pace and gives them a chance to work with the terrain. They also may be changing formations as they follow behind you. Consistently training with your PSD where the high-risk tracks are slow-but short in length-is a good idea. Work on one component at a time. Do not turn this into an obedience exercise. Then make the reward at the end of these training tracks be well worth being slowed down throughout the track. It is suggested that at the beginning of this training that you work with a very fresh track, downing your PSD, and then continuing on after a 10 second stop. Your PSD will learn by repetition that they will be rewarded and move forward after a short delay. This is also a time where your PSD has to be completely silent. Some dogs will bark to initiate movement and they have to be corrected. Have some sort of corrective collar on your PSD separate from your harness for this correction if required. If your PSD tends to be vocal, then your initial training tracks can be worked solely to correct that issue. Several of the components can be worked independently from the high-risk tracking. Take your dog to a field and track a decoy with intermittent downs without any escorts. Have your PSD familiar with this concept. This will prepare your PSD prior to the tracking exercise. Once again, only work one issue at a time.
Silence, slow speed, consistent downs, and then finally distance. Overall, the dog needs to know that finding the suspect is his priority.
Tactical (TL) Perspective
From a tactical perspective, the primary role is to protect the K9 officer and the secondary role is to arrest the suspect. The best way to fulfill both of these roles is to understand the most effective techniques for tracking, namely, formations. It is important to note that the type of formation is dependent upon the terrain, number of officers, and experience level of the tracking team. Regardless of formation, the K9 team takes the physical lead, while the TL and back-up officers adjust their movements accordingly.
One of the most common scenarios is a closed terrain or a heavily wooden area with linear features (e.g. ridgeline, railway bridge, etc.) When tracking a closed area, single file formation is typically the most appropriate. This configuration offers the TL easy control of the tactical team and excellent defense from side attacks. A disadvantage to this formation is the lack of officers able to produce adequate fire directly to the front or rear of the team, leaving K9 more vulnerable. For a basic-level procedure, the TL should stay very close to the K9 handler for all movements, with the PSD obviously leading. The TL actually should stay within a step of the handler. With the K9 officer focused on the dog and his/her hands occupied with a leash and flashlight, it is up to the TL to provide immediate protection for the handler when needed. For a more advanced tactical team, the TL can assign a bodyguard to liaison with K9. The TL would then take the third position in line in order to carefully watch the formations of the larger tactical team and take command if the situation dictates. Within this procedure, the TL, designated bodyguard/liaison, and K9 must have clear communication.
The other most common scenario is an open ground high-risk track (e.g. field, lightly wooded, parking lots, etc.). There are two dominant formations to address an open ground situation, namely, arrowhead and diamond. When working with a small team, a TL should organize back-up officers in an arrowhead formation. The TL will usually position himself/herself at the tip of this pattern along with K9. The TL may take a flank position for a better assessment of the situation, if an experienced tactical officer is available to act as bodyguard/liaison at the tip of the arrowhead. This formation offers better protection for K9 and the whole team as it is less vulnerable to frontal and rear fire, provides adequate protection of flanks, and allows better arcs of view to officers. A drawback to this arrowhead formation, when the TL is positioned at the tip, is that control is more difficult. The TL has to constantly make rear checks to ensure officers are accurately configured for balanced protection. A diamond formation will ideally be used when five or more officers are present and the TL has sufficient experience in leading such a maneuver. The TL should take a position in the center of the diamond. This offers the TL maximum control of team movements with better methods of communication. For example, he/she can take advantage of visual contact with team members to maintain structure and can receive or deliver hand signals to minimize sound. Furthermore, a diamond pattern gives members of the tracking team equal protection from all angles of attack.
During high-risk tracking in any of these formations, the TL and back-up officers have to be aware of light and sound discipline. PSDs do not need light for effective tracking, and thus K9 officers often use darkness to gain distance on a fleeing suspect. Officers, therefore, need to consider limiting their use of flashlights, particularly in open areas. If possible, utilize specialty equipment, such as night vision goggles or thermal imaging devices. Tactical officers should repeatedly scan near, middle and far ground throughout the track. Flanking officers in formation should closely scan parallel tree lines, brush lines or side streets to guard against possible ambush. As mentioned earlier in the article, the K9 handler will be closely watching his/her PSD and may track past the suspect if disadvantaged by winds. Sound discipline is also important when striving for the element of surprise to safely apprehend a dangerous offender. Sound discipline can be achieved with the use of hand signals and/or an earpiece for radio communications.
When the suspect is located it is vital to have a ‘contact drill’ in order. The ‘contact drill’ provides a quick and simple indication of the suspect’s location to all officers. Any individual in the track can call out this locator immediately upon detection. The officer should yell “contact,” followed by the direction and approximate distance to the suspect. The direction given should be oriented to the bearing of the track at that time. The distance given should be standardized, prior to an operational track, in ‘yards’ or ‘feet.’ Notifying fellow officers of the distance allows all members to establish the range to the suspect and react appropriately. This prevents the miscalculation of a dangerous offender’s location. For example, if a right flank officer spots the suspect approximately 40 yards to the right of the track then the command yelled should be “contact, right 40.”
The officer who has located the suspect begins the verbal arrest procedure and the team moves into an extended line facing the suspect. Establishing an extended line is obviously simple for single file formation. When using an arrowhead or spearhead formation, and the suspect is located to the right of the track, the right flank officer will hold their position and provide cover, while the left flank officer swings around like a gate to form the extended line. The opposite procedure occurs for a suspect located to the left of the track. During these movements, the team should maintain adequate spacing between members. If they converge, it is easier for the suspect to engage multiple officers in an exchange of gunfire.
As officers make contact with the suspect, the K9 handler should simultaneously ‘pass the baton’ to the TL. K9 needs to immediately withdraw at least ten yards behind the team. At this stage, the tactical team’s role is to engage the threat and protect K9 from harm’s way. K9 is a locating tool and other officers are more equipped to complete the arrest after a high-risk track. If the team needs additional support, K9 should become a rear guard and stay in this position until the arrest is complete or until directed to re-engage by the TL. With K9 repositioning, the TL and his/her team has room to change formation to take the suspect into custody. This is not a time for the arrest team to worry about walking in front of an ‘excited’ PSD or injuring the dog if an armed confrontation ensues with the suspect. Furthermore, the loud barking of the PSD can prevent clear communication between the TL and his/her officers and between the TL and the suspect.
Once K9 is positioned behind the extended line, the TL immediately makes a plan to take the suspect into custody. The established extended line presents the suspect with a serious show of force, thus encouraging him/her to surrender peacefully. It also provides flexibility to the tactical officers to either call a compliant suspect back to them, deploy lethal or non-lethal weapon systems, or establish cover to allow a flanking team to take the suspect into custody. If the suspect chooses to flee, the PSD and the handler will be ‘passed the baton’ once again and the high-risk track continues. If the suspect surrenders, the PSD escorts the arresting officers and the suspect back to the cruisers.
Concluding Remarks: Working Together
High-risk tracks can only be successful when K9 and tactical teams work in concert. K9 provides leadership for locating the suspect and the TL provides leadership for protecting all members of the track and apprehending the suspect. These roles cannot be defined at the time of a critical incident. Rather, the partnership must be cultivated through ongoing joint training. Training should focus on the following elements: effective communication, PSD behaviour, tactical formations, contact drills, and safe arrest procedures. More specifically, the K9 handler needs to inform tactical officers of PSD behaviour indicators and ensure training exercises focus on the unique pace and length of high-risk tracks. Tactical/back-up officers need to rehearse formations and contact drills that are appropriate for various terrain, officer levels and TL expertise. For the safest possible arrest procedure, K9 must pull back and allow tactical to assume control of the situation. It must be remembered that when tracking an armed suspect, and facing potential ambush, the best way for tactical members and K9 to protect themselves is by working together. Throughout a high-risk tactical track, each part of this team must know when to ‘pass the baton’ to the other and when to take it back again.
PC Pam Carter K9 Unit
PC Todd Arsenault Hostage Rescue/Emergency Task Unit
Niagara Regional Police Service
High-risk tracking is one of the most dangerous aspects of being a K9 handler. The backup officer inherently accepts the risk as they keep the K9 team safe. This was very evident as every police officer waited in anticipation during the intense manhunt of Ralph (Bucky) Phillips in New York State in September of 2006.
A wanted felon, he had shot a State Trooper during a traffic stop. He was not taken into custody at that time and had eventually fled deep into the woods of New York. Every available resource was deployed to capture this dangerous man. A high-risk track was possibly the only opportunity to secure this violent criminal. Prior to being captured, he shot two tactical officers as they were in the woods, killing one of them. He was eventually taken into custody after attempting to flee on foot, but not without a tremendous loss to the policing community.
In another tragic incident, a K9 team were shot and killed during a high-risk track in Polk County, Florida on September 28 2006. K9 Deputy Matt Williams and his partner Police Service Dog Diogi were deployed to track a male who had escaped into the woods after fleeing from a traffic stop. The suspect opened fire on Deputy Williams and his escort as they tracked him, shooting Deputy Williams eight times, killing him. K9 Diogi was also shot and killed during this incident. The escorting deputy was shot once in the leg, wounding him.
The odds are against any K9 team when the suspect lies in wait, an ambush situation that we need to be prepared to encounter. A tactical presence during high-risk tracking is often overlooked in police training and deployment. We need to remember lessons learned from these tragedies when we are tracking dangerous offenders.
The relationship between K9 and the TL (team leader) is critical; K9 provides tactical with an incredible locating tool and tactical provides K9 advance protection and an adaptable arrest team. . Depending on the size of your Service, the TL may consist of a member of the tactical unit, a designated K9 escort, or a patrol officer who has been assigned to that role. In each case, it is imperative that there is an understanding between the two officers as the entire team is potentially entering an ambush situation as they look for an armed suspect. Ensuring that every officer is assigned an area of responsibility and understands their assignment prior to each deployment will greatly reduce the element of surprise when the suspect is finally encountered. This operation, if practiced regularly, can become a smooth and deliberate deployment that will allow you to take individuals into custody with a reduced risk factor. The most critical aspect of this relationship is for each party to know when to assume control and when to pass the baton to the other.
K9 Perspective/Preparing your K9 for high risk deployment
The K9 officer and their Police Service Dog (PSD) need to be a fluid team before they are confronted with any high-risk track. This requires experienced teamwork as the ramifications are severe if mistakes are made. The more comfortable you are working as a team, the easier the exercise will be. One of the most important aspects is the relationship that you have with your PSD, and the relationship between your PSD and the escorts.
Preparation is the key. If you are going to be working with a fairly consistent team and the PSD will be expected to perform with them, it is imperative that they have been exposed to each other. This can be done during training exercises or when your tactical team is preparing for warrants or a high risk takedown. Bring your PSD into the building where the meeting is going to be held during preparation for the warrant. Then if the circumstances allow, your PSD is brought into the room where you will be briefed. He is not on lead, no obedience is expected from him, he is free to wander and sniff as he pleases. There should be no stress in this portion of the training, you want your dog to learn to relax around your team mates. Depending on the dog’s temperament, the officers are free to pet him, ignore him, whatever works for them. The point is to desensitize your dog to their presence. Seeing the tactical officers should not automatically signal your PSD that they are immediately headed to work. Once you have your assignments, follow the team as they head to a training area if they proceed with rehearsals. This is in full gear, exiting their respective vehicles, yelling as if giving commands to the suspects and announcing their presence. This is a great time to have your PSD at the sidelines watching. Correct him for barking or whining, and keep him calm. Reward him for his quiet behavior, there is nothing wrong with giving him his tug, toy, whatever will lower his stress. There is a lot of movement and noise that may trigger him to bark. It is important that your PSD learns to be quiet at the onset; you cannot have the dog sabotage the entry of the team to a residence because of their nervous noise. If he gets vocal, you can move a few steps backward. When he has been quiet for a period of time, he can then move forward. Positive behavior allows him to move closer to the action. Small steps with the desensitization will give you a better chance that reliable behavior will be repeated at the actual deployment. Use the training from warrant preparation, it will assist you when you are tracking with tactical officers in full gear that can look very similar to agitation equipment. Having your PSD present at as many tactical training days as possible, is a way to prepare your dog for the elements of high risk tracking. Having the tactical team members play with your PSD, throwing the ball or playing tug of war is a great way to set a base for the desired behaviour.
It is also important to ensure your PSD is used to working with the distraction of a team trailing behind them. They need to be focused at the task at hand, and not concerned about what is behind them or the extra noise of the escort officers. Practice this ahead of time.
K9 Deployment
The TL needs to be the eyes and ears of the K9 team as the handler is occupied watching for the subtle behavior changes of the dog. This TL is directly behind the handler and acts as his bodyguard and his eyes up front. As all K9 handlers already take into account, wind direction can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Although we have no control over this factor, we must be very aware of the possible effects. A handler must communicate the possible effects to the TL prior to the track, and ensure that he/she educates other back-up officers who are part of the tracking team. Due to tracking downwind, or possibly the suspect doubling back, the K9 team may pass through an area without detecting the suspect. It is important, therefore, that other officers understand that, through no fault of the K9 team, they may be the first to spot the armed suspect and he may actually be very close in proximity.
Throughout the track, it is imperative that the K9 handler consistently updates the TL as to changes in the PSD’s behavior. For example, if the handler notices the dog’s head is up, possibly indicating the PSD is air-scenting the suspect, this needs to be communicated immediately to the TL. The TL has the opportunity to warn his backup team with that information. If it proves not to be the suspect, no foul, but a few second lead to the location of the suspect is one of the valuable aspects of using a PSD as a locating tool.
The PSD needs to have repeated this training maneuver many times prior to an operational deployment. The K9 team can practice this exercise without an escort team, then by the time you add the tactical officers it will be much less of a distraction for the dog. It is important to keep the track fun for the dog. The slow pace, downs, and distance have to be introduced separately. The dog needs to know that finding the badger is their priority. Start with a training exercise where you know exactly where the badger is hidden and then reward him for those early indications. If the operational track is old, there might not be a tremendous amount of odour at the beginning of the track. If your PSD is very leash sensitive, he might be confused at the slower pace required for high-risk tracking. This can shut down some dogs if they are not used to this pace or being slowed down by pressure on the harness. They need to realize that the consistent pull on their harness is not a correction. This is where an occasional “down” can be more appropriate. It provides the fully kitted ETU officer a reasonable pace and gives them a chance to work with the terrain. They also may be changing formations as they follow behind you. Consistently training with your PSD where the high-risk tracks are slow-but short in length-is a good idea. Work on one component at a time. Do not turn this into an obedience exercise. Then make the reward at the end of these training tracks be well worth being slowed down throughout the track. It is suggested that at the beginning of this training that you work with a very fresh track, downing your PSD, and then continuing on after a 10 second stop. Your PSD will learn by repetition that they will be rewarded and move forward after a short delay. This is also a time where your PSD has to be completely silent. Some dogs will bark to initiate movement and they have to be corrected. Have some sort of corrective collar on your PSD separate from your harness for this correction if required. If your PSD tends to be vocal, then your initial training tracks can be worked solely to correct that issue. Several of the components can be worked independently from the high-risk tracking. Take your dog to a field and track a decoy with intermittent downs without any escorts. Have your PSD familiar with this concept. This will prepare your PSD prior to the tracking exercise. Once again, only work one issue at a time.
Silence, slow speed, consistent downs, and then finally distance. Overall, the dog needs to know that finding the suspect is his priority.
Tactical (TL) Perspective
From a tactical perspective, the primary role is to protect the K9 officer and the secondary role is to arrest the suspect. The best way to fulfill both of these roles is to understand the most effective techniques for tracking, namely, formations. It is important to note that the type of formation is dependent upon the terrain, number of officers, and experience level of the tracking team. Regardless of formation, the K9 team takes the physical lead, while the TL and back-up officers adjust their movements accordingly.
One of the most common scenarios is a closed terrain or a heavily wooden area with linear features (e.g. ridgeline, railway bridge, etc.) When tracking a closed area, single file formation is typically the most appropriate. This configuration offers the TL easy control of the tactical team and excellent defense from side attacks. A disadvantage to this formation is the lack of officers able to produce adequate fire directly to the front or rear of the team, leaving K9 more vulnerable. For a basic-level procedure, the TL should stay very close to the K9 handler for all movements, with the PSD obviously leading. The TL actually should stay within a step of the handler. With the K9 officer focused on the dog and his/her hands occupied with a leash and flashlight, it is up to the TL to provide immediate protection for the handler when needed. For a more advanced tactical team, the TL can assign a bodyguard to liaison with K9. The TL would then take the third position in line in order to carefully watch the formations of the larger tactical team and take command if the situation dictates. Within this procedure, the TL, designated bodyguard/liaison, and K9 must have clear communication.
The other most common scenario is an open ground high-risk track (e.g. field, lightly wooded, parking lots, etc.). There are two dominant formations to address an open ground situation, namely, arrowhead and diamond. When working with a small team, a TL should organize back-up officers in an arrowhead formation. The TL will usually position himself/herself at the tip of this pattern along with K9. The TL may take a flank position for a better assessment of the situation, if an experienced tactical officer is available to act as bodyguard/liaison at the tip of the arrowhead. This formation offers better protection for K9 and the whole team as it is less vulnerable to frontal and rear fire, provides adequate protection of flanks, and allows better arcs of view to officers. A drawback to this arrowhead formation, when the TL is positioned at the tip, is that control is more difficult. The TL has to constantly make rear checks to ensure officers are accurately configured for balanced protection. A diamond formation will ideally be used when five or more officers are present and the TL has sufficient experience in leading such a maneuver. The TL should take a position in the center of the diamond. This offers the TL maximum control of team movements with better methods of communication. For example, he/she can take advantage of visual contact with team members to maintain structure and can receive or deliver hand signals to minimize sound. Furthermore, a diamond pattern gives members of the tracking team equal protection from all angles of attack.
During high-risk tracking in any of these formations, the TL and back-up officers have to be aware of light and sound discipline. PSDs do not need light for effective tracking, and thus K9 officers often use darkness to gain distance on a fleeing suspect. Officers, therefore, need to consider limiting their use of flashlights, particularly in open areas. If possible, utilize specialty equipment, such as night vision goggles or thermal imaging devices. Tactical officers should repeatedly scan near, middle and far ground throughout the track. Flanking officers in formation should closely scan parallel tree lines, brush lines or side streets to guard against possible ambush. As mentioned earlier in the article, the K9 handler will be closely watching his/her PSD and may track past the suspect if disadvantaged by winds. Sound discipline is also important when striving for the element of surprise to safely apprehend a dangerous offender. Sound discipline can be achieved with the use of hand signals and/or an earpiece for radio communications.
When the suspect is located it is vital to have a ‘contact drill’ in order. The ‘contact drill’ provides a quick and simple indication of the suspect’s location to all officers. Any individual in the track can call out this locator immediately upon detection. The officer should yell “contact,” followed by the direction and approximate distance to the suspect. The direction given should be oriented to the bearing of the track at that time. The distance given should be standardized, prior to an operational track, in ‘yards’ or ‘feet.’ Notifying fellow officers of the distance allows all members to establish the range to the suspect and react appropriately. This prevents the miscalculation of a dangerous offender’s location. For example, if a right flank officer spots the suspect approximately 40 yards to the right of the track then the command yelled should be “contact, right 40.”
The officer who has located the suspect begins the verbal arrest procedure and the team moves into an extended line facing the suspect. Establishing an extended line is obviously simple for single file formation. When using an arrowhead or spearhead formation, and the suspect is located to the right of the track, the right flank officer will hold their position and provide cover, while the left flank officer swings around like a gate to form the extended line. The opposite procedure occurs for a suspect located to the left of the track. During these movements, the team should maintain adequate spacing between members. If they converge, it is easier for the suspect to engage multiple officers in an exchange of gunfire.
As officers make contact with the suspect, the K9 handler should simultaneously ‘pass the baton’ to the TL. K9 needs to immediately withdraw at least ten yards behind the team. At this stage, the tactical team’s role is to engage the threat and protect K9 from harm’s way. K9 is a locating tool and other officers are more equipped to complete the arrest after a high-risk track. If the team needs additional support, K9 should become a rear guard and stay in this position until the arrest is complete or until directed to re-engage by the TL. With K9 repositioning, the TL and his/her team has room to change formation to take the suspect into custody. This is not a time for the arrest team to worry about walking in front of an ‘excited’ PSD or injuring the dog if an armed confrontation ensues with the suspect. Furthermore, the loud barking of the PSD can prevent clear communication between the TL and his/her officers and between the TL and the suspect.
Once K9 is positioned behind the extended line, the TL immediately makes a plan to take the suspect into custody. The established extended line presents the suspect with a serious show of force, thus encouraging him/her to surrender peacefully. It also provides flexibility to the tactical officers to either call a compliant suspect back to them, deploy lethal or non-lethal weapon systems, or establish cover to allow a flanking team to take the suspect into custody. If the suspect chooses to flee, the PSD and the handler will be ‘passed the baton’ once again and the high-risk track continues. If the suspect surrenders, the PSD escorts the arresting officers and the suspect back to the cruisers.
Concluding Remarks: Working Together
High-risk tracks can only be successful when K9 and tactical teams work in concert. K9 provides leadership for locating the suspect and the TL provides leadership for protecting all members of the track and apprehending the suspect. These roles cannot be defined at the time of a critical incident. Rather, the partnership must be cultivated through ongoing joint training. Training should focus on the following elements: effective communication, PSD behaviour, tactical formations, contact drills, and safe arrest procedures. More specifically, the K9 handler needs to inform tactical officers of PSD behaviour indicators and ensure training exercises focus on the unique pace and length of high-risk tracks. Tactical/back-up officers need to rehearse formations and contact drills that are appropriate for various terrain, officer levels and TL expertise. For the safest possible arrest procedure, K9 must pull back and allow tactical to assume control of the situation. It must be remembered that when tracking an armed suspect, and facing potential ambush, the best way for tactical members and K9 to protect themselves is by working together. Throughout a high-risk tactical track, each part of this team must know when to ‘pass the baton’ to the other and when to take it back again.
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