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Organization and oversight

The K-9 Division operates as a DPS specialized assignment. Department command retains normal patrol and incident-command authority; designated K-9 leadership supervises qualifications, readiness, and canine-specific operational requirements.

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Handler duties

Certified handlers shall:
  • Maintain control and accountability for their assigned canine, on and off duty.
  • Deploy only within approved certifications and lawful purposes; brief incident command when applicable.
  • Perform readiness, equipment, welfare, and vehicle checks.
  • Maintain obedience, detection, and control proficiency and complete assigned continuing training.
  • Document productive and non-productive alerts, apprehensions, bites, injuries, and unusual events.
  • Report injury, escape, equipment malfunction, loss of control, and procedural violations promptly.
  • Prevent abuse, neglect, unauthorized handling, or unauthorized deployment.

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Supervisor duties and limitations

Supervisors shall review deployments and reports, monitor training and welfare, ensure consistent policy enforcement, and order a K-9 unit withdrawn when it is unsafe, unqualified, or unlawful to deploy. A supervisor’s rank does not itself qualify them to handle or command a canine. Only currently qualified handlers may routinely do so. In an immediate emergency, personnel should secure the area and request a certified handler, taking only the steps reasonably necessary to protect life. Supervisors retain scene command and the power to stop an unsafe or unlawful deployment. The handler retains responsibility for canine control and may decline to execute an instruction that would be unlawful or unsafe. Training, credential, and deployment disputes are escalated through K-9 leadership and command.