DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S  K-9 DIVISION

  The dog is man's best friend - even in law enforcement. The canine has become an intricate part of law enforcement in the role of protecting the public against explosive devices, searching for persons trapped in buildings, sniffing out drugs that may make it in to the hands of our children and trailing the violent criminal.

Schooling (Training)
Landheim Training Center located in Dyer, Indiana. 6 weeks course, consisting of hands on training of police K-9's, text book written exams with final exam (must have 80% average to pass). All dogs and handlers are certified with North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) and must re-certify every 2 years.

Dogs
All dogs are German Shepherds imported from Europe by Landheim Training Center. Dogs are trained in the following when returning from school: Tracking, Obedience, Narcotic searches, Area searches, Building searches (suspect and narcotic), and apprehension.

Handler's Responsibilities
Continued training the K-9 on a daily basis. Handler can extend the basic training received from school into advanced training such as: Article searches, Advanced apprehension work, Advanced tracking, etc. Care of the K-9. Which includes grooming, feeding and boarding of the K-9. Care of a squad car assigned to him for transporting the K-9 to and from work and training. Handler must also have knowledge of current laws pertaining to K-9 work. Handler is with the K-9 usually 24 hours a day.

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Narcotics
All dogs are trained to alert to the following narcotic odor: Heroin, LSD, Cocaine, Marijuana, and Meth. Dogs can be trained to alert to any new type of narcotic by introducing the odor to the dog. Dogs are trained to alert to no less than 1 gram of the narcotic. K-9's can search for narcotics in a vehicle's exterior. Dogs smell the air around the vehicle and will alert to the odor of the narcotic. If the dog alerts, probable cause exists for a physical search of the vehicles interior and exterior. (US vs. Place 1983 ~ Horton vs. California 1990) Dogs can search the interior of a vehicle for narcotics hidden in the dash or secret compartments, after the dog has alerted to the exterior or the driver has given consent to search. Other examples of where K-9's can search are mail packages, suitcases, buried in the ground, hidden in walls or ceilings, etc.
Why can a K-9 find Narcotics?
A K-9 uses his nose like humans use their eyes. A dog's sense of smell is 100 to 1000 times greater than that of a human. The K-9 is trained that finding narcotics is a game. When the K-9 finds the narcotic, it is play time and playtime to a K-9 is the same as your weekly paycheck.

Obedience
Obedience is the most important part of K-9/handler relationship. Every part of a K-9's job includes obedience. The Danville Police Department's K-9's work with both voice and hand signal commands. All voice commands are given in German. Hand signals can be used when it is necessary to be quiet. They can also be used over a long distance, where, instead of yelling the command at the K-9, a hand signal can be given to obtain the same goal.

Tracking
DPD K-9's track by following ground disturbance from foot step to foot step. The K-9 places his nose on the ground and follows the track layers foot steps. This type of tracking is more reliable due to less distractions. A dog that follows a track by air scenting (following a scent that is blown by wind) is more likely to lose the track or be distracted. As seen on TV, our K-9's do not need an article to track a person. DPD K-9's are capable of tracking the following: A suspect fleeing a scene, a missing or lost child, and elderly or lost person.

Apprehension
 DPD K-9's are trained to make apprehensions when commanded by his handler. On a fleeing suspect, the handler will first give announcements for the suspect to stop or the K-9 will be released. If the suspect does not stop - the K-9 is released. If the suspect stops and surrenders after the k-9 has been released, the handler can call off the K-9. The K-9 will stay engaged with the suspect until he is called off by his handler. Obedience and trust between the K-9 and handler is very important. DPD K-9's are under control by the handler at all times.

K-9 Equipment
K-9 teams have their own squad cars they drive. In these cars the K-9 has the entire backseat are to himself. This is possible with a K-9 Car Kennel. The Car Kennel also has an electronic controlled thermostat which closely monitors the temperature in the squad car. If the temperature gets above a certain degree, the rear windows roll down and an audible alarm goes off. The handler also carries a pager on his person, alerting him to the problem. The rear squad door has a remote bail out system for the K-9. If the handler is in trouble or needs the K-9 to exit the car quickly, he can activate the back door to open with a remote door opener. Each team is also equipped with training equipment which includes leashes, collars, muzzles, bite work equipment, etc.

The K-9 unit has been busy with other projects pertaining to the keeping and maintaining of the dogs and equipment. Members sought donations and services from numerous citizens and businesses in the community. K-9 kennels were constructed at the handlers’ residences. Training aids such as scratch boxes were built and are being used to train the dogs on drug detection. Training drugs were acquired and under the responsibility of the unit members. The handlers have also been active in location training sights such as area businesses and other property.

Each team has been assigned their own squad car and are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of them. All equipment which has been purchased or otherwise provided is in good working order and well maintained.

The K-9 teams will continue to improve as they mature. The unit trains together one eight hour shift per month. The individual teams train many hours each month on their own. They have not reached their potential but will in a year or two with continued training and performance.

Final Note
The K-9 Unit is provided to assist the Danville Police Department and Citizens of Danville as needed. These dogs are nothing less than an asset to the department and city. Used properly they can make each person's job a little easier and a lot safer. If you have any questions, ask one of the handlers. They will be happy to assist you.  

City of Danville's K-9 Unit