San Andreas K9 Unit

1.0 Mission Statement

The aim of the K9 unit is to supplement the on duty officers with the help of the acute senses of a four legged companion, providing them support in many situations. 

Using their smell mainly but also hearing and running speed, dogs make a great addition to the on foot forces. 

Those new partners to their handlers will help in research and investigation, guarding and chasing suspects.

They are to be considered as members of the force to the same level as their handlers.

2.0 Training

Before being able to run K9, every officer needs to undergo training and get approval from a certified training officer. 

The training will take place during a patrol and last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the training officer’s judgment. It will cover all the necessary information to run K9, starting with the caring for the dog, necessary precautions, orders you can use, procedures and conduct in particular situations such as foot chases or simple traffic stops.

The training will consist of explanation and demonstration from the instructor, followed by at least one practical exercise.

There are no written exams for the K9 application, the approval or denial will be transmitted to the command staff after the training at the discretion of the training officer.

3.0 Standard Operating Procedures

The SOPs are the policies that the K9 Unit follows in order to correctly carry out its role. These serve as standardized procedures that can be referenced back when necessary.

3.1 Standard patrol

The K9 unit can participate in the standard patrol as much as wanted, provided there is never more than one active K9 unit at a time.There is no ability restriction for the K9 unit compared to a standard unit, except for activities in 10-80s (see below).The dog is considered as a full member of the force, but also as a weapon. You are not to use the dog to go after a suspect where force would not be needed. 
To let your dog charge a suspect requires a valid reason to escalate, such as the suspect fleeing or brandishing a weapon. 

3.2 Traffic stops

The K9 unit can be called as backup in traffic stops when there is a suspicion for the presence of drugs or when multiple individuals need to be kept on surveillance on scene.
The dog indicating a hit gives allowance to a full search of the target vehicle and all of its occupants. 

3.3 Vehicle pursuit

In case of vehicle pursuit, the K9 unit must call for reinforcement and should never stay primary.
This is for the safety of the dog. 
If possible the K9 unit should stay as third in pursuits and keep a good distance as to not endanger the canine passenger. 
If the pursuit turns into a foot pursuit, then the K9 unit should resume normal activities and can go after the suspect.

3.4 Missing person

The K9 unit can be called to assist a missing person search thanks to the dog’s ability to trail someone.

3.5 Rules & Policies

When running K9, the dog is your responsibility and yours only, you should place his welfare in account before taking any decision.

• The dog’s welfare is your responsibility, you have to make sure to protect him. (Watch out for traffic);
• If any harm comes to the dog, you will be held accountable and will be placed on K9 service suspension while an investigation is made.
• The command structure is still in place when acting as K9;
• There can only be one active K9 unit at any time;
• K9 never has authorization to PIT as it is dangerous for the dog;
• In case of vehicle pursuit, if you are alone and primary you are to keep your distance while waiting for backup;
• In case of vehicle pursuit, if no backup is available you should step down and place a BOLO;
• In case of use of force from the dog, always check the suspect health and provide them the option to get medical assistance;
• You are to give a treat to your dog when being good, remember to always restock;

4.0 Uniforms & Vehicles

4.1 Uniforms

K9 have a set uniform policy, there is a little room for personal changes but certain criteria must be met.
Any member concerned with their uniform can speak to a K9 supervisor for assistance.

4.2 Vehicles

K9 has to drive the dedicated K9 vehicle with warning lights. 
It will only be run fully marked with full lights on top.
The dog cannot be transported in any other vehicle.
The color follows standard policy and has to meet two criterias: being professional and having the markings readable.

5.0 Controls

The K9 menu is accessed by pressing ALT+HOME on your keyboard. It is only accessible if you have the K9 role on discord. 

When starting your duty, remember to set the name and model of your dog, as it will reset with each game restart. Those and also spawning your dog is made through the “OPTIONS” sub-menu.

The “ANIMATIONS” sub-menu is used to make your dog sit or lay down.

The “ACTIONS” sub-menu is used to: 

• “SEARCH VEHICLE”, let the dog start going around a vehicle to search for drugs.
• “TRACK DRIVER”, tracks the missing driver of a vehicle.
• “GET IN/OUT VEHICLE”, make the dog get in the vehicle you are looking at or out the vehicle he is in.

One other key to interact with the K9 is “G”, it will do the following: 
When you are not pointing a weapon at someone: 

• If the dog is standing, make him follow you.
• If the dog is following you, make him stay where he is.

When pointing a weapon at a suspect: 

• If the suspect is standing still, get in taunt mode. When in taunt mode, if the suspect starts running or pulls out a weapon, the dog will automatically attack him.
• If the suspect is running or armed, attack the suspect