K-9 Officer Down

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Issue 40

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K-9 Officer Down

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By Scott Clark

-9 01…Officer down, I’ve been injured!

“Officer down” — those two words evoke discomfort and confusion in any officer’s mind. A complex scenario has turned into an extreme challenge for the K-9 handler and the backup officer(s) involved. How will the deployed team control the scene that is unfolding rapidly in front of them? How will the rest of the team control a trained police dog without the K-9 handler if he is injured to the point where he can no longer physically control his dog?

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During any search or active deployment with the canine, the handler must be prepared for anything at any time.

Would your fellow officers know what to do if you were injured in the course of a deployment?

This scenario is often discussed among K-9 handlers throughout the country, but many police departments have not provided K-9 handlers and officers the training that will prepare them to resolve the situation successfully. The time is now to implement a plan for such situations and proper training. This is an opportunity to transform a stressful and chaotic event into a controlled and structured deployment.

A “K-9 officer down” scenario is complex and difficult to deal with because of the variety of possible ways in which an “officer down” situation may occur while on deployment with the dog. Planning and training should focus on the following three scenarios:

1. Officer down before engagement with a suspect.

2. Officer down during engagement with a suspect.

3. Officer down after engagement with a suspect.

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Before you read each of the following sections, ask yourself, “As a K-9 handler, what would I do? How prepared are the officers in my department to handle this situation?” With an honest answer, you will know where your training should begin, so that your department will have a greater likelihood of successful K-9 deployments in the future.

One potential scenario to train for is an “officer down” situation that occurs before engaging with a suspect.

K-9 Officer Down Before Engagement Once on scene, the K-9 handler opens his rear door, attaches his search leash to his canine partner, and off he goes with one or two backup officers to conduct the search. Approximately 10 minutes into the search, the handler trips on some debris, falls to the ground, breaks his arm, and hits his head, resulting in a concussion.

The backup officers rush to him to provide assistance, but they immediately face a canine that is unsure of the situation and becomes protective of the handler. What do you do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without injury to officers, citizens, or rescue personnel?

All K-9 handlers know that there is no such thing as a routine deployment. During any search or active deployment with the canine, the handler must be prepared for anything at any time. Tactical movement, proper leash control, weapon discipline, flashlight discipline, understanding your dog’s behavior, and controlling the scene are just a few skills that must be performed and trained routinely to be successful.

Why do most K-9 units recognize the severity of a “K-9 handler down” incident, but they fail to train and prepare for such an extreme? K-9 success requires training in all facets of deployment and should include “K-9 handler down” drills.

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Without a plan in place and properly trained backup officers, a bad situation could quickly become worse. The canine could become protective of his handler and aggressive towards officers, citizens, or rescue personnel attempting to treat the injured K-9 handler.

The possibility of the canine being injured or even killed increases significantly during all the confusion and chaos.

The most important variable in this situation is to provide treatment to the injured handler as quickly as possible. It is imperative to take proper control of the canine safely, securing him as soon as possible. This can only be achieved by consistent training and commitment from the handlers and select officers within the department.

Select officers within the department should be provided additional training with the K-9 unit so that proper canine handling techniques can be acquired. As far as the select officers, it should be a voluntary program that involves special one-on-one training between them and the K-9 unit. An acclimation period should also be established between the canines and select officers to strengthen the familiarization and socialization aspects. To be effective, basic “K-9 handler down” drills should be given first and foremost to the backup officers. These K-9 drills should include: • How to be confident and not erratic around the canine.

• Understanding basic obedience commands so that communication can be established.

• How to remain calm if you are bitten, and how to maintain control over the canine.

• How to present toys or bite sleeves to gain control of the canine.

• Provide access to the k-9 vehicle to obtain equipment and k-9 first aid if needed.

• How to verbally encourage the canine during the incident.

• Demonstrate techniques on how to return the canine back to his vehicle.

• Immediate notification of another handler to respond.

Basic “K-9 handler down” drill should include how to maintain control over the canine.

Select officers within the department should be provided additional training with the K-9 unit so that proper canine handling techniques can be acquired.

Each of the listed drills requires hours of training, so they should be introduced as fun social exercises ultimately working up to more stressful exercises. Due to the individuality of each canine, backup officers should spend equal time with each canine and handler so that the results will replicate each other.

This beginning stage of training must have a strong foundation to continue to the next stage. As we progress to the next stage, it is imperative that appropriately selected officers have been chosen, and they have demonstrated a strong understanding of the responsibilities as a backup officer.

It is crucial that these officers possess no fear of dogs, control their mannerisms and demeanor, think quickly on their feet, handle stress well, have trust from the K-9 unit, and have tactical applications.

K-9 Officer Down During Engagement Although there are some similarities between a “before engagement” scenario and a “during engagement” situation, stress and confusion will be dramatically higher when an officer goes down during engagement with a suspect. This scenario will occur at the actual location where the K-9 team encounters the suspect. As the K-9 handler gives a verbal K-9 warning and begins to engage the suspect, he is faced with resistance and ultimately deploys his dog. During the engagement, the handler becomes severely injured and is totally unable to exert physical control over his dog. As a backup officer, what do you do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without injury to other officers or citizens?

More than likely, your answer to that question will be, “I’m not sure, I guess we will get through it somehow.” This will be your answer unless proper training and commitment are established among both handlers and select officers within the department. It is imperative that K-9 units have a plan in place and are confident in their training and preparation so that if faced with such an extreme scenario, they will be able to overcome it.

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As in the “K-9 officer down before engagement” scenario, select backup officers must be given training and should regularly perform basic “handler down” drills to achieve a successful result during engagements. Additional “officer down” drills must be provided to select officers to build and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed if the K-9 handler is injured.

These additional drills should include the following: • Understanding the appropriate use of force necessary to neutralize the threat.

• Proper officer safety techniques.

• How to provide cover for the downed handler.

• Allowing the canine do his job; don’t interfere.

• Understanding radio discipline and additional resources needed (additional k-9 handlers).

• How to approach the canine in a confident manner.

• How to work with your cover officer.

• How to encourage the canine.

• How to be confident, not erratic.

• How to conduct a tactical release of the canine.

• How to provide tactical separation from the suspect.

• How to control the canine after release.

• How to return the canine to his vehicle.

As you read this article, you may be saying to yourself that this is easier said than done. The biggest obstacle to understanding and accepting that statement is by actually doing something about it. By taking control of the problem, creating a solution, and applying it, success will follow. When dealing with such an intense situation and highly driven police dogs, you are always going to be faced with hardships and possible mistakes or injuries. It is imperative to have a clear and solid training plan so that you can minimize mistakes and maximize results.

It is possible that when other officers begin to handle a police dog, bad things can occur. However, the reality is that at some point in time during the engagement, if the handler is unable to control his canine, someone will have to take control of the canine and secure him. The best choice is for another K-9 handler to respond and take care of the situation, but what if you don’t have that resource available or the response time will be too long? The only way around this dilemma is for “K-9 officer down” training to be implemented within your department.

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Backup officers must be trained in how to conduct a tactical release of the canine.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Two backup officers assist the injured handler. • Training for backup officers should include instruction on what to do if the canine resists the tactical release from the bite. • Backup officer removes the dog from bite with additional backup. • Because of the need to provide treatment to the injured handler as soon as possible, it is imperative to quickly take control of the canine.

Backup officers should receive instruction and training in the following problem areas: • How to handle the canine if he becomes confused or disengages the suspect.

• How to handle the canine if he bites you or another backup officer.

• How to handle the canine during handler protection.

• How to handle the canine if he re-bites the suspect.

• What to do if the canine resists the tactical release from the bite.

• What to do if the canine refuses to leave the suspect area.

• What to do if the canine resists getting back inside his vehicle.

• How to handle the canine if he is injured.

• What to do if the canine is killed.

This critical incident presents many obstacles.

With proper training, K-9 units working with select backup officers can make this difficult task successful and achievable.

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K-9 Officer Down After Engagement The K-9 deployment has just ended with a successful track and bite engagement of the suspect wanted on several felony charges. Everything went picture perfect during the deployment, and all involved officers are happy. As the K-9 handler praises his dog and removes him from the suspect area location, the handler slips on a wet piece of ground, falls, hits his strong side elbow on the curb, and breaks it in several places. The canine, which is still agitated and aware of where the suspect and officers may be, becomes confused and unsure of what to do.

Ideally, the handler will still be able to assist in several ways in this scenario. Hopefully, the handler will be able to grab the leash with his other hand or another body part as he falls, or the dog will respond to the handler’s verbal commands. However, in the worst-case scenario, the handler falls or is injured and is unable to assist in any way. What do the other officers do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without injury to officers, citizens, or suspects?

Officers involved need to respond quickly to defuse the situation so that it does not get out of control. By devising an “officer down” plan, handlers and officers involved will know what to do and how to act.

Training for an “officer down after engagement” situation should include the previously discussed “K-9 officer down” drills, incorporated into a structured training plan between the K-9 handlers and select backup officers. During this stage, training should include several scenario-based incidents in which the handler injures himself after the engagement concludes and the backup officer’s task is dealing with the dog.

Photos courtesy of High Drive K-9. highdrivek-9.com

It is important that the backup officers are instructed closely, all “officer down” drills are reinforced properly, and problem-solving areas are clearly understood. All the skills that the select backup officers have practiced should be performed with little error and in a confident and controlled manner. The backup officers need to practice these skills regularly, with continued input from and collaboration with the handlers, to ensure success.

I have written this article in the hope that each agency will be able to address the potential challenge of an incapacitated K-9 officer in a positive manner. It is critical that K-9 units incorporate this type of training into their program. I believe that by applying the training techniques I’ve discussed, agencies will be able to respond successfully when faced with a “K-9 officer down” incident. n

The Ideal Conclusion Ideally, an injured K-9 officer call would sound something like this: “K-9-01…Suspect is in custody! I’ve been injured! Officer Smith has control of my canine, and everything is fine. Have rescue respond to my location.”

A scenario that was once out of control has been managed effectively. The handler who was injured and unable to control his canine is now able to get the rescue support that he requires and his canine partner is returned to his vehicle, awaiting additional K-9 handlers.

Even though K-9 officers are faced with dangerous deployments daily, the intensity of the deployments continues to rise. K-9 officers prepare by training weekly for continued success, but little time is spent completing “K-9 officer down” drills. The three scenarios described in this article require proper training and planning to handle effectively.

It is imperative that K-9 units construct a plan and put it into action, so that if a K-9 handler is injured, the situation can be resolved without further injury or liability. A specific plan has not been provided in this article because each canine, handler, and K-9 unit is unique. However, an individualized training plan should be devised and implemented for each K-9 unit, based on team members’ skill levels and the resources available to them.

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