33400 POLICY JOU POLICE DOGS USE OF FORCE, OPERATIONAL USE AND DEPLOYMENT

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1 Version: 1.00 Last Updated: 13/10/15 Review Date: 13/10/16 ECHR Potential Equality Impact Assessment: Low 1. About This Policy 1.1. This policy explains the Joint Operational Units (JOU) of Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Polices approach to the use of Police Dogs as a use of force. It applies to operational officers who use and deploy Police Dogs as part of their duties The prompt and proper utilization of a trained police dog has proven to be a valuable resource for police forces across the UK. When correctly deployed, they can substantially enhance the safety of both officers and the public, both in terms of protective action and search for vulnerable or wanted persons, property, explosives and/or drugs. Additionally, there is a likelihood of suspect apprehension, with a significantly reduced time-scale for any search of an area or building for such suspects 2. General Principles 2.1. This policy should be used in conjunction with Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and the JOU Dog Section Manual of Guidance. JOU police dogs are trained and deployed under the ACPO Police Dog Manual of Guidance The deployment of police dogs will be conducted in accordance with the College of Policing Code of Ethics The strategic aim of the Dog Section is the protection of life, apprehension of offenders and crime The police service is bound by a duty of care to any person who may be at risk from the foreseeable dangers inherent in the use of police dogs, whether they are police employees, members of the public or suspected offenders.

2 2.5. Inevitably, there will be occasions on which police dogs are used as an instrument of force. The circumstances of that use, considerations and requirements for it and post incident processes are contained within internal dog unit guidance. 3. Statement of Policy 3.1. A police dog used to apprehend is best understood as an instrument of force, like a baton, to be judged according to the rules that apply to the police use of force generally. The Chief Constable remains vicariously liable for any decisions made regarding the deployment of a police dog by any incident commander. Additionally, the handler remains personally liable for their use of force. Substantial force inflicting serious injuries must be reasonable and necessary according to the circumstances confronting the officers When a police dog is deployed as a use of force response option, this objective remains the same. The same rule of law applies in terms of both Common Law and section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, in that any force must be reasonable in circumstances The Common Law allows such force to be used for self-protection or the protection of others and in some circumstances, property Before any force is used, the officer should satisfy themselves that the criteria for the use of force is satisfied The use of the Conflict Management Model has been adopted to enable staff to provide sound justification for their actions 3.6. The deployment must also consider Human Rights Act 1988, in particular Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life which includes physical and psychological integrity). * Lifted from ACPO Manual of Guidance for Use of Police Dogs 2011

3 4. Implications of Policy 4.1. Training Training is conducted within the guidance already established by the Home Office Bureaucracy This policy and associated internal guidance do not contain unnecessary performance management burdens or officer responsibility Risks to include Health and Safety, reputational, legal or financial The handling of working police dogs can, by its very nature, present unique risks to staff members and members of the public. Both Hampshire Constabulary and TVP have recognised these risks and they are reflected in specific internal risk assessments Training Training of handlers and development of the policy will help to reduce this risk and encourage appropriate deployment of police dogs Consultation

4 The development of this policy has included consultation with the following: 5. Monitoring and Evaluation a. JOU Operations senior management b. Force Civil Litigation c. Dog Training School The Superintendent JOU Operations has overall responsibility for the monitoring and evaluation of this policy. 6. Review 6.1. This policy will be reviewed by the Inspector in charge of the Dogs Section on an annual basis and will take into consideration any changes in legislation, court rulings and any other developments both locally and nationally. 7. Other Related Policies, Procedures and Information Sources 7.1. Related Policies N/a 7.2. Related Procedures Procedure - Police Dogs at Firearms Incidents Procedure Health and Safety Training) 7.3. Information Sources ACPO Police Dogs Manual of Guidance 2011 [APPsecure website Reference Material] APP Public Order Use of Force JOU Police Dogs Intranet Pages

5 College of policing Code of Ethics H&S Risk Assessment Intranet Pages AD203 Equality Impact Assessment Origin: JOU Operations Dogs Unit.