6.250 - Use of Non-SPD Canines

Effective Date: 5/22/2009

I. Use of Non-SPD Canine Resources

A. No dog belonging to an individual, agency, or group other than the SPD Canine Squad will be used for the purpose of assisting the Department except when:

1. The handler and dog:

a. Have approval of the Canine Unit Supervisor, the Captain of the Metro Special Response Section and the Assistant Chief of the Special Operations Bureau, or

b. Are approved by the Captain or designee of the Seattle Police Operations Center (SPOC) during an activation of the SPOC, and

2. A member of the SPD Canine Squad is at the scene and decides the use of that team is appropriate, and

3. The handler and dog are members of a law enforcement agency which has a reciprocal agreement with the Department, or

4. The handler and dog are members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search and Rescue Team being used during a disaster.

B. Under no circumstances will use of a dog and handler be approved when the SPD Canine officer at the scene decides the use of the dog is inappropriate or too dangerous.

C. Final authority for continued use, different application, or termination of the activity shall be made by the ranking or senior member of the Metro Special Response Section, or, during a SPOC activation, by the Captain or their designee of the Seattle Police Operations Center.