Police Canine Handler

Performs specialized law enforcement work patrolling the city, responding to calls for service, conducting routine investigations, and deploying and maintaining an assigned police canine in support of law enforcement operations.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing general duty law enforcement work for the field operations bureau of the city’s police department, with the additional responsibility of handling, training, deploying, and caring for an assigned police canine. Work includes routine patrol, traffic enforcement, traffic accident and criminal investigation, serving criminal papers, responding to calls for service, and using the canine for authorized law enforcement purposes, including tracking, searching, locating persons or evidence, and other functions for which the canine is trained and certified.

The employee is responsible for maintaining the canine’s physical condition, health, training, and operational readiness; ensuring appropriate care, feeding, grooming, exercise, housing, and transportation; and maintaining accurate training, deployment, care, and veterinary records. The employee must exercise sound judgment in determining when and how to deploy the canine and must comply with applicable law, departmental policies, training standards, and reporting requirements.

The employee is highly visible in the community and must be able to develop a positive public image. Tact and firmness, sound judgment, patience, and a positive attitude are required. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work, as well as risks associated with canine handling and deployment. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of a sergeant, and is evaluated for effectiveness, visibility, sound judgment, canine proficiency, operational readiness, and apprehensions.

Work is reviewed by observation and review of written reports and canine-related records.

• Performs general patrol duties in areas of the community exhibiting both high and low crime incidents; meets and talks to people in the community about their safety and support; checks the security of buildings and residences; and apprehends and arrests offenders
• Deploys the police canine in accordance with departmental policy, applicable law, and the canine’s training and certification, including authorized tracking, area and building searches, evidence searches, suspect searches, and locating missing or endangered persons
• Maintains the canine’s training and proficiency through regular scheduled training, scenario-based exercises, and other approved training; documents training activities and evaluates the canine’s performance and readiness
• Provides for the daily care and welfare of the assigned canine, including feeding, grooming, exercise, kennel and vehicle sanitation, and monitoring the canine for injury, illness, stress, or changes in behavior; promptly obtains veterinary care when needed
• Inspects and maintains the assigned canine vehicle, kennel, and related equipment to ensure they are clean, safe, secure, and operational; ensures appropriate supplies and equipment are available
• Maintains accurate records regarding canine training, deployments, searches, apprehensions, veterinary treatment, care, and other activities; prepares required reports and documentation
• Explains canine capabilities and limitations to officers and other authorized personnel; assists with canine-related demonstrations, public education, and community events when assigned
• Conducts pre-tour inspections of the police vehicle and canine-related equipment to ensure readiness, including fuel, tire air pressure, warning sirens and lights, kennel…