K9 Team Liability

The K9 Team Liability course is designed to instruct K9 handlers, K9 supervisors, agency command staff and executives on the current trends in canine litigation.  Laws and liabilities related to the use of police canines are ever changing and evolving.  Agency leadership and handlers must be up to date and current on all laws and best practices in order to do their jobs well while striving to minimize risks and liabilities to themselves, their agencies, and ultimately to the communities they serve.  

 This course discusses the imperative for updating canine policies and why all policies should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.  K9 Team Liability also delves into the need for consistent improved supervision in a high profile/high liability unit and discusses the various needs and reasoning for a competent, dedicated K9 supervisor for each unit. This course will review and discuss the growing nationwide advocacy for the elimination of apprehension dogs; the arguments used for such a position and how law enforcement K9 teams can be structured, supervised, and utilized in a professional manner that doesn’t provide credence to these anti-K9 movements. Also covered in this course is supervisorial liability, agency liability, application of force, the proper utilization of different types of K9 programs, and historical cultural issues within K9 teams.

This course is offered in two course formats: "Hosted Classes" where students register individually, and "Contracted Classes" where agencies purchase the entire course at a discounted rate. For scheduling or inquiries, please contact us.

Students are responsible for obtaining permission and approval from their departments prior to registration if the student plans to attend on-duty and have the agency pay for it. You know the rules.

If you want to attend, we recommend working with your agency prior to registering for a class. Because if you register for a class, and your department does not approve your time or tuition for any reason, you are still responsible for the terms of the attendance and cancellation policy including any applicable tuition. Again, we know you get it and we look forward to seeing you in class!

This class is open to all federal, state, tribal, and local First Responder agency personnel.  All Officers & Deputies desiring K9 positions, K9 handlers, Detectives, Corporals, Supervisors, Command Staff, Executives, and appropriate supervisory non-sworn Professional Staff are all welcome and encouraged to attend.