K9 Officer Down: Is Your Team Prepared for an Injury on Deployment?

Issue 1 | January/February 2017 | $9.95

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K9 Officer Down IS YOUR TEAM PREPARED FOR AN INJURY ON DEPLOYMENT?

By Scott Clark

A

s law enforcement officers continue to be targeted and murdered throughout the country, we must take a proactive and aggressive stance against the problem. We cannot ignore the facts. Law enforcement fatalities for 2018 are 163 officers, and there's already a sickening 40 fatalities so far in 2019. In addition, the 2018 firearms-related fatalities totaled 52 officers killed, compared to 45 officers in 2017, an increase of 15.5 percent (statistics from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund). This must stop. Law enforcement must receive the proper support from government entities so this trend will end.

As a current K-9 officer in South Florida, I have experienced officer down incidents several times, and every time it has been incredibly emotional, almost overwhelming. The fact that I was tactically and mentally prepared was the key to each of my successes. Being fluent in and tactically prepared with K-9 officer down exercises and drills is the key. Every K-9 officer, actually every officer, needs the tools and training to be properly prepared. K-9 officer down training is a must!

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“K9-01 - - - Officer down; I’ve been injured!”

“Officer down”: two words that strike discomfort and confusion through any officer’s mind. A complex scenario has turned extreme for the K-9 handler and the backup officer(s) involved. How will the deployed team (handler and backup officers) control the scene unfolding rapidly in front of them? How do you 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? A police dog is trained in criminal apprehension and handler protection, and controlling one is a difficult task on its own. But if a police dog is engaging a suspect without the handler involved, how will this problem be resolved? This K-9 deployment has quickly turned into a stressful and chaotic problem that will be extremely difficult to overcome.

K-9 handlers throughout the country often discuss this K-9 scenario. However, how many police departments currently have a plan in place providing training to the K-9 handlers and officers that better prepares them to resolve the situation successfully? The time is now to implement both a plan and proper training. This is an opportunity to learn to transform a stressful and chaotic event into a controlled and structured deployment.

A K-9 officer down scenario is extremely complex and difficult to deal with because of the endless possibilities that may occur while on deployment with the dog.

Officer down before engagement with a suspect, officer down during engagement with a suspect, and officer down after engagement are the primary instances on which proper training and planning should focus. Before you read each section of the officer down process that I discuss, ask yourself, “As a K-9 handler, what would I do? How prepared are officers in my department to handle the situation?”

With an honest answer, you will know where your training should begin so that future K-9 deployments will have increased success.

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K-9 Officer Down Before Engagement

Once on the 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 ten minutes into the search, the handler trips on some debris, falls to the ground, breaks his arm, and hits his head, causing a concussion. The backup officers rush to him to provide assistance; however, they immediately face a canine that is unsure of the situation and becomes protective over the handler. What do you do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without injury to officers, citizens, or rescue?

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 you must perform and train routinely to be successful.

Why do most K-9 units recognize the severity of a K-9 handler down incident, but they fail to properly 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.

It is clear how a bad situation can quickly turn worse without having a plan in place and properly trained backup officers. The canine may become handler protective and aggressive toward officers, citizens, or rescue personnel attempting to treat the injured K-9 handler. Also, the possibility that the canine may become injured or even killed increases drastically during all the confusion and chaos.

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

Select officers within the department should receive additional training with the K-9 unit so that they can acquire proper canine handling techniques. As far as choosing the select officers, it should be a voluntary program that involves special one-on-one training between them and the K-9 unit. 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. An acclamation period should also be established between the canine(s) and those select officers to strengthen the familiarization and socialization aspects. Most importantly, to be effective, the backup officers should participate in basic K-9 handler down drills.

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These drills should include how to: • be confident and not erratic around the canine; • give basic obedience commands so that communication can be established; • remain calm if you are bitten and how to maintain control over the canine; • present toys or bite sleeves to gain control of the canine; • gain access to the K-9 vehicle to obtain equipment and K-9 first aid if needed; • verbally encourage the canine during the incident; • return the canine back to his vehicle; and • notify another handler immediately to respond.

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 provide a strong foundation to continue to the next stage. As training progresses, it is imperative that the backup officers demonstrate a strong understanding of their responsibilities as a backup officer.

K-9 Officer Down During Engagement Similar to the above section, stress and confusion will be prominent in this scenario, but at a much higher level. At this point, we jump forward in the deployment to the actual location of the suspect where the K-9 team begins to engage the suspect.

As the K-9 handler begins to give verbal K-9 warning and 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 physically control his dog. What do you do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without further injury to officers or citizens?

More than likely, your answer is going to be, “I’m not really sure. I guess we will get through it somehow.” This will be your answer unless proper training and commitment from both handlers and select officers within the department are established. It is imperative that K-9 units have a plan in place and are confident in their training and preparation so if faced with such an extreme scenario, they will be able to overcome it without hesitation.

As in the K-9 officer down before engagement scenario, the select backup officers need to undergo basic handler down drills for successful results during engagements. Additional drills are required for the select officers to build and strengthen the necessary skills to succeed if the K-9 handler is injured at this point in deployment.

These additional drills should include: • understanding the appropriate use of force to neutralize the threat; • using proper officer safety; • providing cover for the downed handler; • allowing the canine to do his job and not interfering; • understanding radio discipline and additional resources needed (additional K-9 handlers); • approaching the canine in a confident manner; • working with your cover officer; • encouraging the canine; • being confident, not erratic; • conducting a tactical release of the canine; • providing tactical separation from the suspect; • controlling the canine after release; and • returning 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 in overcoming that statement is 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 face hardships and possible mistakes or injuries. It is imperative to have a clear and solid training plan so that you can minimize any mistakes and maximize the results.

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It is possible that when other officers begin to handle a police dog that “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 is going to have to take control of the canine and secure him or her. The best choice is for another K-9 handler to respond and take care of the situation. However, what happens 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. Therefore, instruction and training should be provided to the backup officers 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 location; • what to do if the canine resists getting back inside his vehicle; • how to handle the canine if he is injured; and • 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 a successful and achievable incident.

K-9 Officer Down After Engagement

The K-9 deployment has just ended with a successful track and bite engagement of the suspect, who was wanted for several felony charges. Everything went picture perfect during the deployment, and all the people (except the suspect) involved are ecstatic. 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 extremely 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 this scenario in several ways. Hopefully, the handler will be able to grab the leash with his other hand or other body part as he falls, or the dog will respond to the handler’s verbal commands. In the worst-case scenario, the handler is unable to assist in any way.

What do you do? How can this scenario be controlled quickly without further injury to officers, citizens, or suspects?

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Officers involved need to respond quickly to diffuse the situation so that it does not get out of control. By devising an officer down plan in advance, handlers and officers involved will know what to do and how to act. It is imperative to pay an equal amount of attention to this section of K-9 officer down training as to the previous sections. No corners should be cut, and handlers should be prepared in all aspects of the training.

By following the previous K-9 officer down drills and incorporating them into a structured training plan between the K-9 handlers and select backup officers, this final stage of training will be more achievable. During this stage, the training should include several scenario-based incidents in which the handler is injured after the engagement concludes, and each backup officer is tasked with dealing with the problem.

It is crucial that the backup officers are instructed closely and coached throughout this stage, all officer down drills are re-enforced properly, and problem-solving areas are clearly understood. All the skills that have been presented to the select backup officers should be performed with little error and done in a confident and controlled manner. The backup officers need to practice all skills to be successful. The handlers need to continue to work closely with the backup officers, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure success when dealing with such a situation.

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“K9-01 - - - 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 now ended in a controlled, effective way. 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; however, little time is spent completing K-9 officer down drills. Officer down before engagement, officer down during engagement, and officer down after engagement require proper training and planning and should be focused on to overcome these difficult problems. It is imperative that K-9 units construct a plan and put it in action, so if any K-9 handler is injured, the problem will be resolved without further injury or liability. This article has not provided an exact plan, because every canine, handler, and K-9 unit differ from one another. However, a customizable training plan should be constructed and implemented for each K-9 unit. Creating an individualized plan will allow for each K-9 unit to base their training program on their own skill levels and resources available to them.

I am writing this article in hopes that this potential problem will be addressed in a positive manner within each agency. I believe it is critical that K-9 units should be properly prepared, trained, and provided with the best safety and tactical resources out there. Government entities must provide the proper resources to get this job done. It is imperative that K-9 units become aware of the importance of properly equipped backup officers, so that if the handler gets injured, he is provided the best support possible. Each K-9 unit should have a structured plan, an organized plan, and an overall complete plan. By applying the key training techniques I’ve discussed, you will have a high success rate when faced with a K-9 officer down incident.

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Scott Clark, owner and founder of High Drive K-9, has been a police officer for the City of Coral Springs Police Department (FL) since January 1999. Since 2001, he has been assigned to the K-9 Unit where he currently serves as an active K-9 handler. He has been working and training patrol and detection dogs since 2002. He is a current certified State of Florida FDLE K-9 Team Instructor and FDLE K-9 Team Evaluator. In addition, Scott is the K-9 Unit Head Trainer, Multi-Jurisdictional K-9 Head Trainer, SWAT K-9 Team Leader, Trainer and SWAT K-9 Handler, Firearms Instructor, HK MP5/MP7Instructor, and Sig Rifle Instructor and has trained numerous K-9 teams in South Florida and across the country. Scott obtained his bachelor’s degree (B.A.), majoring in both criminal justice and psychology, from the University of North Florida. Scott serves as an instructor for the Broward College Institute of Public Safety and national instructor for numerous K-9 training conference Website: highdrivek-9.com

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