NCJ Number
130025
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 49-51
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An elite group of 16 police officers operates a Canine Unit in Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
A team constitutes a police officer and a German Shepherd dog. Fifteen general-purpose teams perform tracking and drug searches, and two specialized teams are trained in explosives. In addition to operating teams, the Ontario Provincial Police matches dogs to handlers in municipal police forces within its area and provides them with training. To find the right dog, ads are placed in major newspapers and previous sources of dogs are contacted. Some dogs are purchased from breeders, while others come from homes where there are children. All dogs must be between 10 and 24 months of age. They cannot be easily scared by strangers or intimidated by threatening behavior. The dogs are also x-rayed for signs of hip dysplasia and are given a medical examination. Personal stability and physical fitness are requirements for police officers in the Canine Unit. Officer-dog teams are trained in tracking procedures, and teams are retrained about every 6 weeks.