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K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers (2002)

Chapter: Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation

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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Section 3 - K9 Use in Public Transportation." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2002. K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24721.
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19 SECTION 3: K9 USE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The nine public transportation systems with active programs that contributed to this Guide deploy five distinct types of K9s in the transportation environment: ❐ Specialty – Narcotics or Drug Detection. Trained to alert to Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, and Speed with either a passive or aggressive response. These dogs can also be trained to detect designer drugs. ❐ Specialty – Explosives Detection. Trained to alert, with a passive response, to commonly used explosive odors in a variety of locations and configurations. Explosives identified typically include powders (black or smokeless), commercial dynamite, C-4 or Flex-X, TNT or military dynamite, primer cord, and slurries or water-gel. ❐ Dual Purpose – Patrol and Narcotics Detection. Trained in patrol work and then cross-trained in narcotics detection. These dogs offer the full range of both patrol and narcotics detection functions. ❐ Dual Purpose – Patrol and Explosives Detection. Trained in patrol work and then cross-trained in explosives detection. These dogs offer the full range of both patrol and explosives detection functions. ❐ Patrol and Apprehension. Trained in patrol work and apprehension. On tracking a suspect, these dogs are able to use less than lethal force to detain the suspect and support safe arrest. Table 4 illustrates how these types of teams are deployed in a public transportation environment.

20 TABLE 4: FUNCTIONS AND NUMBERS OF K9 TEAMS FUNCTION & NUMBER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS WITH K9 UNITS A M TR A K B A R T C TA H ou st on M ET R O M A R TA M B TA N FT A SE PT A W M A TA Specialty – Narcotics Detection X X Specialty – Explosives Detection X X X X Dual Purpose – Patrol and Narcotics Detection X X X X Dual Purpose – Patrol and Explosives Detection X X Fu nc tio n of T ea m s D ep lo ye d by K 9 Ty pe Patrol and Apprehension X X X X X X 1 to 3 X X 4 to 7 X X 7 to 10 X 10 to 15 X X N um be r o f K 9 Te am s D ep lo ye d More than 15 X X ESTABLISHING THE K9 CAPABILITY As depicted in Table 5, the experience of interviewed public transportation systems indicates that K9 units can be successfully obtained and deployed in the public transportation environment in four ways. In-House K9 Unit Established By Transportation System Police Department This option provides the system with the greatest level of control over K9 deployment. Correspondingly, it typically supports the greatest return on the system’s investment. In this option, the public transportation system is responsible for creating the K9 unit (including establishing a program mission and operational orders), acquiring the service dog and handler, providing basic and in-service training, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring that certifications and qualifications of the K9 team are sufficient to meet local and state legal requirements and to support effective testimony in court.

21 TABLE 5: OPTIONS FOR K9 UNITS K9 PROGRAM OPTIONS CURRENTLY IN USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS WITH K9 UNITS A M TR A K B A R T C TA H ou st on M ET R O M A R TA M B TA N FT A SE PT A W M A TA In-house K9 unit established by transportation system police department X X X X X X In-house K9 unit established through TSA Explosives Detection Canine Team Program X X Shared K9 unit established jointly with local law enforcement agency X X Contracted K9 services provided through qualified vendor X Most transportation systems develop and support their in-house programs by using vendors, breeders, retired K9 handlers, and local law enforcement. On a contract, mutual aid, or gratis basis, these resources offer dog selection, training, and maintenance programs, which have proven both popular and effective in the public transportation environment, because the resources may not be available to support a full-time K9 trainer. These services also support the development of strategic plans and proposals for setting up the unit, growing the unit, and evaluating the deployment of K9 teams. Typical costs for deploying a single in-house K9 Team are displayed in Table 6. In-House K9 Unit Established By TSA Explosives Detection Canine Team Program For those public transportation systems serving airports, this TSA-funded program will pay to purchase and train the dogs and partially reimburse the transportation system for the cost of the team (including some portion of the handler’s salary), as well as food and veterinary bills for the service dogs. TSA retains ownership of the dogs and maintains the right to call out these teams in response to concerns and needs at the local airport. When the dogs are not responding to TSA requests, they are deployed by their primary agency to patrol facilities, respond to calls, and to perform training and public demonstrations. Although this program may limit deployment options for the transportation system in certain respects, it also provides access to a well-trained and highly valuable resource for explosives detection.

22 TABLE 6: COST FOR ONE IN-HOUSE K9 TEAM LABOR Police Officer K9 Handler $60,000 Daily Care Per Diem Handler compensation for daily care of canine $3,000 Overtime Additional hours worked by K9 team $5,000 OTHER INITIAL PROGRAM EXPENSES Canine Pre-trained, pre-screened K9 for Dual Purpose Use (Patrol and Explosives Detection or Patrol and Drug Detection) $6,000 Basic Training Package Handler and K9 3-month basic training program (including travel, lodging, and per diem) $9,000 Basic Equipment Package Lead, collar, training equipment, kennel, K9 bullet-resistant vest $3,000 Certifications Certification agency registration fee and trial $450 General Care Food, veterinary, and grooming $1,800 Records Software Reporting and training log software $400 Vehicle & Equipment K9 vehicle $25,000 In-service Training Facility fees and trainer support $2,000 Travel and Conferences Competitions, conferences (40 hours per year) $3,000 TOTAL FIRST YEAR EXPENSES $118,650 To participate in this program, sworn law enforcement K9 teams, composed of one dog and one handler, undergo several months of intensive training at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Once the teams are certified by the TSA, they undergo proficiency training at least once a week in their operating environment, which includes all the scents and distractions of a busy airport. The agency also requires each team to go through an annual certification to show they continue to meet TSA standards in clearing aircraft (wide- and narrow-body), luggage, terminals, cargo, and vehicles. The TSA provides explosives training aids and magazines used to store the aids and mandates strict standards for the use and handling of these explosives training aids. The agency has also created a special data system called the K9 Training Aid Reporting System to document and track the teams’ training on commercial aircraft. In addition, the TSA is studying canine olfaction as part of its aggressive research in explosives detection. The TSA primarily uses sporting breeds such as Labradors, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers, which are usually obtained from breeders. These breeds are chosen for their gentle temperament and keen sensory capabilities. Individual dogs selected for the program must undergo exacting pre-acceptance

23 screening to prove they are healthy, smart, highly motivated, and able to detect the necessary odors. Most of the dogs are kenneled at the homes of their handlers, and many retire to the handlers’ homes after 10 to 12 years of explosives detection work. To offer additional understanding of how this program works in the public transportation environment, Table 7 provides a profile of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) K9 program. TABLE 7: NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (NFTA) History and Background. NFTA’s K9 unit was established in 1984 because the FAA (now responsibilities have transferred to the TSA) required the two area airports (Buffalo and Niagara Falls) to have Explosive Detection (ED) capabilities. The FAA fully funded the unit, requiring NFTA to maintain FAA standards and be able to respond to FAA requirements, should they arise. Initially, the teams were strictly used for ED, but now the unit deploys one narcotics dog to expand capability. The Division Commander (Lieutenant) took responsibility for initiating the unit and put out a request for interest and volunteers. The unit has slots for four handlers and one squad supervisor. The Division Commander supervises the Squad Commander (Sergeant), who leads the four teams. The unit is a subdivision of the Airport Division that falls under the Rail Division. They have a mission statement that was developed by the unit officers. They do not use contractors. The FAA (now TSA) does all their evaluations, including legal and medical updates. The NFTA K9 unit occasionally provides top management familiarization training. They have four specialty teams and currently do not use dual purpose dogs. Their teams only detect explosives and narcotics. The transportation environment is different than municipal enforcement because they often work in close quarters, in tunnels, on/around their vehicles, and in large crowds. They have a track and yard certification and a transit familiarization program for their unit. NFTA also trains specifically to manage the dogs in crowds and on their vehicles. The TSA technically owns the dogs. However, if necessary, the unit will need to allow the dogs to be used for work in other areas, off of the public transportation system. TSA makes this determination. NFTA has been able to manage this issue through close coordination with other local K9 units. All K9 units in the Buffalo/Niagara area work together and share a training facility and scheduling assignments. They also have become familiar with each other’s capabilities and developed reciprocal agreements. Functions Performed by the K9 Unit. In addition to scheduled tours and response to calls for screening at the airport station and other NFTA facilities, the unit performs screening functions for special events and in support of the Secret Service and other dignitaries. They are also used for large sporting and concert events. They participate in demonstrations as well. Breed and Selection. NFTA currently uses (or has used) German Shepherds, Black and Gold Labradors, and Belgian Malinois for ED, and currently a Springer Spaniel is used for narcotics detection. They find the latter dog especially well suited for narcotics detection because of its small size and ability to be lifted to search in small places, especially in cars and aircraft. NFTA believes size does matter when dealing with searches in and around obstacles where larger dogs cannot venture.

24 TABLE 7: NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (NFTA) NFTA’s ED dogs were obtained from a local breeder, and the narcotics dog was purchased from a Canadian breeder. NFTA’s ED dogs were provided free of charge by the FAA; the Springer Spaniel and his training cost the unit nearly 10,000 dollars. Trainers for the Lackland Air Force Base Military Working Dog (MWD) Program select the dogs for the TSA program and specify their qualifications. NFTA finds the MWD emphasis on mature dogs between 2 and 3 years of age highly effective, and recommends this practice, particularly for German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. The dogs must have good demeanor for work around people (hence the Labradors) and are all passively trained. All evaluation and criteria is done and met at Lackland with the TSA. Bringing on a New Handler and Service Dog. Handlers and Canine Coordinators must attend the formal TSA Explosive Detection Canine Handlers course at Lackland. The team is evaluated at Lackland and then sent to their local area for 6 months of familiarization, followed by an on-site certification. The Squad Commander supervises the new team and evaluates them routinely for the first 18 months. The supervisor also does in-house training with the new team. NFTA facilities are their classroom(s). They also have agreements with local schools, malls, bowling alleys, and car dealerships to train teams. They use the bowling alley in particular to help dogs adjust to noise while trying to focus on their tasks. They also attend conferences and weapons of mass destruction training courses but do not attend competitions and trials as of yet. They are required to train 16 hours per week and work along with the other units. Handlers share the duties of hiding training aids, and they assist by monitoring each other. Performance evaluations are done annually by NFTA and every 18 months by the TSA. All basic and specialty training is done at Lackland Air Force Base. Report writing and record keeping, however, is done at the unit. The basic training course is 2 months, and the handler is responsible for not only learning all requirements, but also bonding with the dog. Teams are given a pre-evaluation at Lackland and must pass their local evaluations when they return. All handlers are rated as trainers to enhance training availability. Dispatch Policy and Schedule. NFTA teams respond to call-outs that are authorized by the K9 supervisor. Responses are done in rotation. They also have team assignments coordinated with the other agencies for back up response. Typically, NFTA units can be assigned to the airport/rail division (the largest division), along the bus routes, or within the bus centers. In addition to the airport and public transportation system, NFTA is also responsible for 800 acres of waterfront and numerous Park and Ride facilities, the harbor, beach, and New York State's largest boat marina. NFTA units working primarily in the public transportation environment may support calls or be assigned to any of these facilities. NFTA units also respond to calls outside their division in schools, the mall, federal facilities, and on-the-lake freighters. Their requests for demonstrations generally are for public relations and educational purposes. Three to four teams are on call for three shifts, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Vehicles and Equipment. The department provides each member an SUV, as well as all equipment required for the dog such as a kennel, lead, collar, food, and grooming kit. Handlers can carry two dogs in one vehicle, saving resources. The transportation system has a policy regarding the use and maintenance of this equipment specified in their regulations. The system compensates its officers for grooming, feeding, and exercising responsibilities with 2 hours for overtime each week. Reporting Responsibilities. Team members must make daily reports into their centralized computer system, which are then compiled and generated into a monthly report electronically. Bite reports are considered Incident Reports. All canine bites, on and off duty, are reported to the immediate supervisor on duty. Training bite reports are given to the Squad Commander. The State of New York requires rabies reports. Prior to the end of a handler’s shift, he/she submits a report that is forwarded through the normal chain of command up to the Division Commander and ultimately to the Chief of Police. The Internal Affairs Division handles all investigations, if required. Recommendations. NFTA personnel interviewed for this Guide could not emphasize strongly enough that if an organization chooses to establish a K9 unit, they must do it properly and not cut corners. An initially weak program will

25 TABLE 7: NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (NFTA) suffer and cause stress on the teams. ❐ Handlers must be very disciplined in working with their dogs. There cannot be enough in-service training. ❐ A good resource is the TSA (especially if an airport station is going to be patrolled). TSA provides great financial assistance and high-quality dogs and training. ❐ Units should specifically consider the breed and how they will be used. Smaller dogs can be an excellent choice for specialty work, either for explosive or narcotics detection. Some smaller dogs are authoritative and customer-friendly dogs. It helps to know the limitations, as well as the strengths, of your teams. ❐ NFTA also recommends that K9 units train and coordinate with other municipalities and transportation systems that have K9 units. Share information as much as possible. Shared K9 Unit Established Jointly with Local Law Enforcement Agency This option is only partially implemented in public transportation at the current time, but offers the capability for several local law enforcement agencies to share the expense of dog(s), handler(s), training, certification, vehicles, and equipment, and also to share the use of this resource, through coordinated patrols and calls for service. During the last decade, rural communities have implemented this option effectively. They are able to cover some of the costs of the program through grants received from federal and state drug forfeiture programs. Contracted K9 Services Provided Through Qualified Vendor For public transportation systems located in areas served by K9 vendors, services are available to support the deployment of K9 resources, including the following: ❐ Dedicated on-site K9 teams. Provided as part of a contract for security services, managed in a manner similar to contracts for security guards or maintenance contracts for transportation facilities. ❐ Part-time and retainer services. An option that provides access to K9 resources as needed (special events), but does not require the cost and management level of effort associated with dedicated on-site teams. ❐ Emergency response services. Almost all vendors that have teams offer this service to assist local law enforcement and businesses with bomb threat management and the clearing of suspicious packages. Some vendors will guarantee response times of 30 minutes or less. ❐ Precautionary bomb search K9 teams. Vendors with teams often offer this service for sporting, entertainment, or political events, and may couple it with familiarization training of the K9 team with the client facilities, supporting effective response in an emergency. Whichever approaches are ultimately considered by the public transportation system, available options for supporting funding and training of the K9 unit must be investigated

26 and incorporated into administrative practices. In addition, when evaluating final costs and benefits, specific provisions relating to grant requirements must be understood and addressed. Table 8 relates key characteristics of each option available to transportation managers in a comparative format. Evaluations are organized by five characteristics identified by interviewed systems as the most important in gauging the ultimate effectiveness of a particular deployment option: ❐ control – ability of the system to direct deployment of K9 teams; ❐ liability – accountability of the system for injuries caused by, and poor judgments made by, the K9 team; ❐ flexibility – ability of the system to use the K9 unit to perform a variety of functions under different circumstances in a range of scheduling configurations; ❐ response – ability of the agency to use K9s to respond to and manage both scheduled and unplanned situations; and ❐ cost – expense of the program to the transportation system. TABLE 8: EVALUATION OF K9 ALTERNATIVES TYPE OF DEPLOYMENT OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS C O N TR O L LI A B IL IT Y FL EX IB IL IT Y R ES PO N SE C O ST In-house K9 unit established by transportation system police department HIGH H H H H H In-house K9 unit established through FAA Explosives Detection Canine Team Program HIGH FOR EXPLOSIVES DETECTION M M L M L Shared K9 unit established jointly with local law enforcement agency MEDIUM-TO-HIGH L M L M M Contracted K9 services provided through qualified vendor LOW-TO-HIGH (DEPENDS ON THE VENDOR) M L H M M H H = High; M = Medium; L = Low In-house programs provide the transportation system with the greatest degree of control over K9 deployment, as the system is free to implement its program without consideration for competing needs or other priorities, which may be an issue with TSA- funded programs or collaborative efforts with local law enforcement. Control over deployment typically increases flexibility and response capabilities. However, effective and coordinated management practices with TSA-supplied resources and local law

27 enforcement can dramatically improve the capabilities of these programs to serve the needs of multiple transportation systems. Because law enforcement is held to such a high standard for public safety, in-house options necessarily carry high degrees of liability. Traditionally, because of the expense of law enforcement officers and the overhead costs associated with maintaining internal facilities, as well as the greater burden of liability shouldered by law enforcement agencies, in-house programs developed by transportation police are more expensive to the transportation system than services provided by non-sworn vendors. However, because of administrative and additional insurance costs, if contract law enforcement services are used, these costs may be higher than for in-house law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies place many more requirements on their canines than vendors, who have no similar legal authorities or obligations. Table 9 provides a cost summary for average hourly rates of a K9 team. TABLE 9: COST SUMMARY OF AVERAGE HOURLY RATES K9 TEAM PROVIDED BY CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT K9 SECURITY COMPANY IN-HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT Price per Work Hour $22.26 to $81.90† $13.50 to $24.90 $20.00 to $40.00 Liability Insurance Additional Charge N/C N/C Vehicles N/C N/C N/C Mileage Additional Charge N/C N/C Security Equipment N/C N/C N/C Administration Fee Additional Charge Sometimes Additional Charges Are Applied N/C †Cost of Los Angeles and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Departments Please note that forfeiture programs for narcotics seizures and federal grants can offset the costs of in-house transportation law enforcement K9 programs and, if appropriate, should be considered in these assessments. K9 BREED, SOURCE, AND SELECTION As identified in the interviews, one of the most important issues to be considered by any transportation system investigating K9 units is the process used to identify the breed of dog to be deployed by the agency and the techniques to be applied for dog selection. Table 10 highlights the breeds of dog currently deployed in the transportation environment, their source, and the process used to select them as candidates for the transportation environment.

28 TABLE 10: DOGS DEPLOYED IN TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT BREEDS, SOURCES, AND SELECTION PROCESS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS WITH K9 UNITS A M TR A K B A R T C TA H ou st on M ET R O M A R TA M B TA N FT A SE PT A W M A TA German Shepherd X X X X X X X Belgian Malinois X X X X X Labrador X X X X Golden Retriever Weimaraner X Springer Spaniel X B R EE D S Other X X Breeder X X X X Vendor X X X X X X X Rescue or Humane Society SO U R C ES Other Agency X X Breeder or Vendor Evaluation X X X X X Military Working Dog Standards X X SE LE C TI O N PR O C ES S Other X X USING DONATED DOGS The success of using donated dogs depends largely on the skill and experience of those who are evaluating the dogs. Although using donations may seem like an inexpensive alternative, the costs of evaluation, veterinarian screening, and boarding the dogs until a suitable position or training program is found, can add up. For large departments with their own kennels and training facilities, however, these costs may be minimal. Because no transportation system, at this time, meets this requirement, new entrants into K9 programs are discouraged from attempting to deploy donated dogs in the transportation environment. Although some very effective donated dogs can be found, many donated dogs have physical or behavioral problems that must be fixed or compensated for during training. Also, unless a department has the means to warehouse dogs and hold them until positions become open, a transportation system usually cannot rely on donations for supplying good dogs to fit training schedules. As U.S. police officers have been

29 exposed to dogs from imported working lines, their expectations of what a top working dog can do have risen. Donated dogs from American-bred, non-working lines are becoming less attractive. With more dogs being bred from imported lines, the number of donated dogs from working lines should increase, and the overall quality should rise. USING VENDORS Purchasing a dog from a reliable working dog vendor costs more initially but should eliminate the need for extensive evaluations. Vendors usually can supply dogs to fit a department’s needs and training schedule because they can warehouse and train dogs specifically to meet those needs. However, because good dogs are expensive, it is critical that the vendor selected by the system is reputable. Public transportation systems investigating vendor services should ask the following questions: ❐ Will the vendor allow the dogs to be seen before purchase? The system purchasing the dog(s) will want to evaluate the quality of the vendor's stock and experience in choosing the dog(s). ❐ Are the dogs being kept or warehoused? Are they being exercised, trained, or worked while they are there? Dogs need regular work or activity. Routine training ensures that their current training is being maintained or augmented. ❐ Does the vendor offer or personally participate in the type of training the transportation system prefers? Does the vendor take part in competitive dog sports or other dog training? This indicates wide experience and a desire to improve training. ❐ How many years of training experience does the vendor have? A minimum of 5 years is desirable. ❐ How long has the vendor been in business selling working dogs? How many dogs has the vendor trained? Has the vendor ever supplied dogs to transportation K9 units? ❐ Does the vendor offer a written guarantee that if the dog does not pass training or develops medical issues beyond the control of the department, the dog will be replaced? ❐ Does the vendor offer a licensed veterinary check prior to purchase? ❐ Are other customers of the vendor satisfied with their purchases? If possible, transportation systems should try to observe other customers' dogs at work.

30 USING PUPPIES Buying a puppy or a young dog and raising it may seem to be an inexpensive way to start a dog program. However, unless the person purchasing and training the puppy is extremely knowledgeable, this can be a highly risky endeavor. For example, German Shepherds have many physical problems that are not apparent in puppies. With this breed, only three-quarters of the overall population are physically suited to do police work. Guarantees from breeders can reduce risk, but breeders usually only provide another puppy, and not the year's time and expense needed to raise it. This is why most police departments that have tried to breed dogs for police work have been unsuccessful. The percentage of dogs that are suitable for police work is low, and most departments do not have the time and skill to market the unsuitable puppies. LESSONS LEARNED FROM FEDERAL PROGRAMS Federal K9 programs have invested millions of dollars over the last 20 years to identify the best breeds, sources of dogs, and evaluation protocols. To tap into this experience, research conducted for this Guide extended to interviews with the following federal programs: the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and the Department of Defense Military Working Dog (MWD) Center at Lackland Air Force Base. Combined, these agencies deploy more than 2,000 K9s around the world for infrastructure protection, explosives and narcotics detection, and to support military operations. Recommendations from the TSA/Lackland MWD Program for K9 deployment are documented in Figures1, 2, and 3.

31 ³ KEY GUIDANCE – PATROL DOGS When selecting patrol dogs, the quality of the dog is critical. Typically, only 1 in 10 dogs of working breed stock is suitable for patrol work. The dogs that are usually used for patrol are large working dogs: German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retrievers. These dogs are used for their intelligence, their willingness to please, their physical agility, and their hard work. They are also used for their calmness and their ability to respond to handler commands even in the middle of pursuit or apprehension. Although breeding is not everything, it does help determine the effectiveness of the canine. Donated dogs and mixed-breed dogs have a much higher incidence of failure to pass initial screening and pre-training programs than dogs bred specifically for the purpose of police work. The Military Working Dog Program estimates that as few as 1 in 100 donated dogs are of sufficient quality for use in law enforcement. Many of the nation’s best vendors obtain their dogs from Europe because of the more stringent controls and monitoring programs. In the United States, there are also highly respected breeding programs in Indiana and in Texas. FIGURE 1: FEDERAL GUIDANCE – PATROL DOGS ³ KEY GUIDANCE – SPECIALTY DOGS Exclusive detection of narcotics, contraband, or explosives places the least functional requirements on a dog but can provide perhaps the most demanding work schedule, requiring repetitive and consistent performance of the detection function. A well-trained detector dog can examine a vehicle (including a transit bus) in 5 to 6 minutes, and process 400 to 500 packages in about 30 minutes. Nimble and highly portable, a dog can inspect a train and a wide-body aircraft for explosives in less than 30 minutes. Many breeds will work effectively for detection. For example, in and around airports and land border ports, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the U.S. Customs Department use dog teams for narcotics and contraband detection, including Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Brittany Spaniels, German Short-hair Pointers, and mixed breeds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Beagle Brigade is a group of non-aggressive detector dogs trained to prevent the entry of prohibited agricultural items into the country. Explosives detection is perhaps the most demanding of the detection functions, requiring a more moderate temperament, and greater trainability, as the dog must be capable of passive alert upon detection for up to 20 different odors. The FAA, ATF, and FBI primarily use sporting breeds, such as Labradors, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Golden Retrievers in this critical function. FIGURE 2: FEDERAL GUIDANCE – SPECIALTY DOGS

32 ³ KEY GUIDANCE – DUAL PURPOSE DOGS Quality of dog is even more important for dual purpose dogs than for patrol dogs. Typically, only 1 in 25 dogs of working breed stock is suitable for dual purpose work. When the patrol function does not place emphasis on aggressive apprehension techniques (find-and-bark, rather than find- and-bite), experience indicates that Labrador Retrievers and other sporting breeds make the best dual purpose dogs, based on their intelligence, trainability, physical endurance, capabilities for detector work, and ability to react as trained in a variety of new and unfamiliar environments. When aggressive apprehension is a component of patrol, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are generally considered the best-suited breeds. Research recommends that the dual purpose K9 should be considered a top-performing athlete. Any system choosing to deploy a dog for this function should seriously consider purchasing the dual purpose K9 from a qualified and certified vendor or breeder only after it has successfully completed a series of evaluations, medical screenings, and pre-training programs. FIGURE 3: FEDERAL GUIDANCE – DUAL PURPOSE DOGS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES The websites provided offer additional information on programs, funding, training, and resources available to support the development and management of K9 programs for transportation systems. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ❐ Central Intelligence Agency o www.odci.gov ❐ Department of Defense, Military Working Dog School o www.lackland.af.mil/341trs/ ❐ Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) o www.fema.gov ❐ U.S. Department of Agriculture o www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/detdogs.html ❐ U.S. Department of Justice, Grants Programs o www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BLA/ ❐ U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation o www.fbi.gov ❐ U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency o www.usdoj.gov/dea/

33 ❐ U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals’ Service o www.usdoj.gov/marshals/ ❐ U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration & Naturalization Service o www.ins.usdoj.gov ❐ U.S. Department of Treasury, Customs Service o www.customs.ustreas.gov/enforcem/k9.htm ❐ U.S. Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms o www.atf.treas.gov/explarson/K9.htm ❐ U.S. Department of Treasury, Secret Service o www.ustreas.gov/usss/ NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ❐ North American Working Dog Association o www.nawda.com ❐ National Canine Police Association o www.ncpa.net ❐ United States Police Canine Association o www.uspcak9.com ❐ National Narcotics Detector Dog Association o www.nndda.org STATE ASSOCIATIONS ❐ Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association o www.aleca.policek9.com ❐ Connecticut Police Working Dog Association o www.cpwda.com/ ❐ North Carolina Police Canine Association o www.policek9.com/ncpca.htm ❐ Oregon Police Canine Association o www.opca.com ❐ Texas K9 Police Association o www.txk9cop.com

34 ❐ Virginia Police Working Dog Association o www.vpwda.com ❐ Washington State Police Canine Association o www.wspca.com ❐ West Virginia Police Canine Association o www.wvpca.com

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TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 86: Public Transportation Security, Volume 2: K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers offers information on current K9 deployment practices, K9 program establishment issues, and explosives detection.

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