Tactical Building Search

Captain Rick Ashabranner, Jeffersonville P.D., K9 Division, Master Trainer - NAPWDA

Every day we as police officers put on our uniforms and go to work. The main thing we think about is getting back home to our loved ones. THINK SURVIVAL.

Probably the most exciting part of a K9 officer’s job is the call for assistance from other officers. It might also be a call dispatched where you might utilize your K9. Remember to drive quickly but safely to your calls. You need to arrive safely at the scene to be of any assistance. When arriving at the scene, turn off all lights (emergency and headlights). Don’t let the bad guys see you coming. Observe the area around you for any suspicious vehicles or subjects. Set up your perimeter officers.

Remove your K9 from the vehicle. Allow your K9 to relieve himself and give him some water. REMEMBER: It takes a few minutes for your K9’s olfactory sense to cleanse itself of the scents from inside the vehicle. Once you are ready to start your search, move tactically toward the building. Always pay particular attention to the area around you, and for places to retreat to if something happens.

Check your entrance. Is the key holder coming to let you in? Are you going through a broken door or window? Make sure the area is safe. Never stand directly in front of doors or windows. THINK SURVIVAL. Don’t make yourself a target.

Once you are ready to start your actual search give three (3) verbal warnings. Listen carefully after each warning for any noises or verbal responses. Watch your K9 for any changes. Once all three warnings have been issued without responses, send your K9 in for a quick free search. Try to keep your K9 in sight. If your K9 gives no indications, call him back and do a door-to-door search.

NEVER pass by any doorways or rooms until you know they are cleared. Stay LOW and QUIET during your search. Don’t let the suspects know where you are. NEVER keep your flashlight on at all times. Don’t make yourself a target. Keep any shiny or noisy items in your vehicle (keys, change, pagers, etc.). If at all possible, have a trained backup officer with you during your search.

Continue your search paying close attention to the K9’s movements. Did his ears stand up? Did his head cock? Always look for a difference in his behavior. Pay particular attention to drafts or air currents in the building. This could affect your K9’s alerts during the search.

If your K9 locates a suspect NEVER rush to your K9. Call your K9 back to you. THINK SURVIVAL, control your K9. Call the suspect out into the open, paying close attention to see that he has no weapons. Place the suspect on the floor in the prone position. Have your backup remove the suspect and then resume your search.

If the suspect won’t come out, you will have to deal with that. Work your way towards the suspect, clearing the way as you go. Locate the exact area the suspect is in. You have other alternatives once you pinpoint the suspect. Remember you have the advantage.

Even though you’ve located one suspect NEVER think the building is clear. More than one suspect commits most crimes. Your job is not done until the complete building is searched and cleared.

These aren’t new methods of training, only mine and the way I work. We must never forget to THINK SURVIVAL. Let’s make sure we get to the search, through the search and home to our loved ones.

Use everything to your advantage. Don’t give the bad guys the upper hand. They might and will do ANYTHING to get free. Be smart, stay low and quiet, and let your K9 do the work.

NEVER let your guard down. Treat every call as a real call, no matter how minor it may seem.

Remember TRAIN the way you WORK, because your WORK will reflect how you TRAIN!! Make every training exercise as real as possible. Remember suspects will hide very well and high if they know a K9 is searching for them. They do not want to get bit. ALWAYS LOOK UP!!! During your training hide multiple suspects. Hide in different areas (high, low, tight spots, etc.). Don’t find out in an actual search your K9’s afraid of the dark, tight spots or slick floors. Always try to be prepared for anything.

I hope you’ve learned something new or just refreshed the old. Let’s always think SURVIVAL, so in years to come we’ll have our war stories to tell. “LET’S DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC.”

NOTE:
Training tips appearing in this portion of the web site are just that, "Training Tips". Do not take these as meaning that they are the only way to train K9 teams. There are probably as many training techniques, theories, beliefs and practices used by people as there are dogs. The only thing that is common among them all is the specific goal intended for that particular training session or tip. When problem solving tips appear, they to are just one of many. You must remember that no two dogs are the same and one method of doing something does not work on every single dog. Training techniques must be flexible from dog to dog. Please keep an open mind when reading these tips. Use what you can, modify what you want and discard what you wish. Please feel free to contact NAPWDA with your questions or comments. Take Care, Train Hard and STAY SAFE!