Arson Explosives Detail Canine Deployment
Arson and explosives canines search for fire and explosive-related materials specific to the areas of their expertise. These types of search requests shall be facilitated through Arson Explosives Detail during normal business hours. After normal business hours, the on-call canine deputy handler may be requested through the Special Enforcement Bureau desk.
Any canine trained in the detection of explosives shall not be used to search any object which, after the initial threat assessment, has been deemed suspicious or shows indications of an improvised explosive type device, If any object is located and is deemed to be suspicious, or if any explosive material is detected, the object shall not be further approached or manipulated. The area shall be immediately evacuated, notification shall be made to Arson Explosives Detail, and the procedures listed under MPP section 5-06/080.15 shall be followed.
Narcotics Bureau Firearm and Narcotics Canine Deployment
Narcotics Bureau canines search for five types of narcotic odors (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and opium) and narcotic-related items that contain this residue. These types of narcotic search requests shall be requested through Narcotics Bureau during normal business hours. After normal business hours, the on-call canine deputy handler for Narcotics Bureau shall be requested through the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Firearms scent detection canines search for firearms during pre-planned search operations or as requested by law enforcement agencies.
The Narcotics Bureau canine handler shall not conduct nor handle the narcotic investigation for the station/unit requesting the canine search. The canine handler’s role is to conduct searches for narcotics or narcotic-related items, as well as firearms.
Transit Services Bureau Explosive Detection Canine Deployment
A Transit Services Bureau explosive detection canine’s primary role is to conduct protective searches of the rails, trains, and railways, as well as searches of unattended bags or packages. The canines are federally funded and trained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with annual federal certifications.
Explosive detection canines search for the odor of smokeless and black powder which enables these canines to also locate explosives and gun powder from firearms. Explosive detection canines may be used for firearms searches based on the need for public safety and the availability of firearms scent detection canines.
An explosive detection canine may be requested through the Arson Explosives Detail or the Transit Services Bureau’s desk An immediate request may be made via the radio by using Transit Services Bureau’s main radio frequency (Dispatch 35).
Countywide Services Division Canine Deployment
A Countywide Services Division (CWSD) explosive detection canine’s primary role is to conduct protective searches of all county buildings, county hospitals, county parks, contract facilities, as well as searches of unattended bags or packages. Similar to Narcotics Bureau, CWSD narcotics detection canines search for five types of narcotic odors (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and opium) and narcotic-related items that contain this residue.
These CWSD canines will certify annually with the Department-approved certifying agency, conducting ongoing training with Narcotics Bureau and Arson Explosives Detail as required.
CWSD human scent detection canines (bloodhounds) can be deployed by CWSD to locate missing persons. They may also be utilized to track suspects in certain situations where there is no established containment and supervisors determine that officer safety concerns would not preclude their use. These CWSD canine teams can assist in a variety of situations. This assistance can include locating or providing direction of travel of suspects/missing persons, identifying vehicles previously occupied by suspects/missing persons, and leading deputies/investigators to areas or residences recently frequented by suspects/missing persons.
Prior to the request for a human scent detection canine, the requesting station and/or unit must have permission from the on-scene supervisor. Human scent detection canines are available for deployment in the following incidents:
CWSD human scent detection canines are not trained to apprehend suspectss. If the crime would normally meet the deployment criteria for an SEB Tactical Canine (MPP section 5-09/265.10) but there is no established containment, the on duty SEB Canine Services Detail supervisor should be contacted and advised of the scent detection canine request. They will advise if an SEB tactical canine team will be sent to monitor the situation. They should also be updated as soon as possible if the CWSD canine handler believes the location of an outstanding suspect has successfully been tracked.
When deploying scent detection canines, officer safety shall always be of the utmost importance, guiding supervisors and handlers in their canine deployment and decision making process.
Human scent detection canines train to follow the drift of scent, distinguishing it from other odors. They have the ability to discern human odors, over great distances, with a tenacious tracking and trailing instinct to locate the source of the scent. CWSD will be responsible for their own training and record keeping, certifying their canines with the National Bloodhound Association.
Requests for the deployment for CWSD canines can be made through County Services Bureau, Sheriff’s Communication Center (SCC), or when after hours, through Sheriff’s Information Bureau to the on-call handler.
Operation Safe Streets Canine Deployment
The mission of the Operation Safe Streets Bureau (OSS) Scent Detection Canine Program is to provide narcotic (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and opium) and firearm scent canine teams to assist deputies/detectives when searching for weapons, ammunition, and narcotics. These searches will include, but are not limited to, area searches at the termination of foot/vehicle pursuits, search warrant services, traffic stops, and parole/probation searches. The primary task of these teams is to locate narcotic substances or materials, objects, paraphernalia, currency or other items which have been tainted with the odor of narcotic substances, and to locate concealed firearms and ammunition.
The services of the OSS Scent Detection Canine Program are available to all law enforcement and government agencies as authorized by Sheriff’s Department policy. Responses by OSS canine teams to requests for service are based primarily on the availability of the canine teams with the approval of the OSS canine sergeant or lieutenant. The OSS canines shall not be utilized to conduct searches of people or for items the canine is not trained in, or any searches for hazardous materials, such as chemical biological or nuclear materials. The OSS canine handler will, in all situations, make the final decision to deploy his/her canine based on its abilities and after considering all safety issues.
OSS canine handlers generally will not be assigned case investigations or other station crew duties which may interfere with the deputy's role as a canine handler.
All personnel assigned to the OSS Scent Detection Canine Program will adhere to the guidelines of the OSS canine unit orders.
Custody Investigative Services Unit (CISU) - Custody Canine Detail
Custody canine deployment is specialized and unique in its function. This type of deployment involves criteria for canine selection, canine training, and canine certification for the purposes of searching people. Due to this specialization and unique criteria, the CISU - Custody Canine Detail will use canine vendors willing to be insured to enter and train within custody facilities for the purposes of searching persons. Custody canines will continue to train on "passive alerts" (sit-and-turn-away) to alleviate the potential for complaints. Custody canines will be required to certify with certifying entities which include standards for people sniffs. The use of canines to search for other odors may be directed by the Assistant Sheriff of Custody Services Division or his or her designee. All personnel assigned to the Custody Canine Detail will adhere to the guidelines of the CISU - Custody Canine Detail unit orders.
Reserve Forces Bureau Scent Canine Deployment
Trained search canines provided by the Los Angeles Search Dog Association are available by contacting the Special Enforcement Bureau. The handlers consist of civilian volunteers and shall not be requested to aid in searching for dangerous suspects. Use of these canines shall be restricted to circumstances where there is a minimal probability of injury to the canine or handler. Typical circumstances for which these canines might be used include:
These canines are only trained to track people and cannot be used to search for narcotics, firearms, or explosives. If the situation is tactical in nature, these search canines cannot be used; refer to MPP section 5-09/265.10, Special Enforcement Bureau Canine Tactical Deployment.
Search canines have the ability to follow a single scent, disregarding all others. Heat and wind cause the scent to dissipate rapidly; therefore, time is critical. The more time elapsed, the less likely a scent will be available. If it appears that a search canine will be requested, valuable time will be saved by performing the following:
It is imperative the scent guide is not contaminated. The canine, once exposed to a particular scent, cannot be effectively exposed to and work another scent for at least 24 hours.
Obtain information regarding the last known whereabouts of the person sought and have this information available for the handler, as it will determine where the canine will be placed on the scent.
At the scene, the handler will act under the direction of the deputy in charge. Decisions made regarding the use of this resource shall be made by the incident commander.
Reserve Forces Bureau also has cadaver search canines available. They are available by contacting the Special Enforcement Bureau. These canine specialize in human remain detection. They are not only used for crime investigations, but can also be used in disasters, natural and otherwise.
Homicide Bureau Scent Canine Deployment
Homicide Bureau has criminal investigation scent search canines which are contract employees, available 24 hours-per-day, seven days-per-week. Typical circumstances for which these canines might be used include:
The search canines can be requested through Homicide Bureau’s desk. The following information will be required:
All conditions and requirements of the Reserve Forces Bureau’s search canine above apply to the Homicide Bureau’s search canine.