Page 36 - 2020-2021 Training Catalog

K-9

Legal

Issues

CICP Accredited Course

➤ Describe the way a drug K-9 may be used to sniff at a
Who Should Attend school or on a bus.
Offi cers assigned to canine units, their supervisors, and any ➤ Examine the factors that the courts look to when
other offi cers involved in the operation of a canine unit.
deciding the admissibility of evidence that a K-9
identifi ed a person in a tracking case.
Course Goal ➤ List and explain the role that training and certifi cation of
This course will instruct canine offi cers, their supervisors, a K-9 plays when the courts determine the reliability of
and others involved in the operation of a canine unit in the a dog sniff and alert as evidence.
following areas: how the use of a canine and the traditional ➤ List fi ve things an offi cer should do while testifying in
Fourth Amendment concepts of search and seizure, court.
reasonable suspicion, and probable cause interact; the factors ➤ Compare and contrast the criminal and civil systems of
that determine canine reliability in the eyes of the courts; justice.
civil liability in the context of canine use by law enforcement; ➤ List the theories of civil liability most commonly
and what constitutes injury to a canine under North Carolina asserted under Section 1983.
law. This course is not limited to issues affecting drug- ➤ Explain the factors the courts use in deciding use of
detection canines. The legal issues surrounding the use of force claims in K-9 cases.
tracking and apprehension canines, accelerant and bomb ➤ Discuss at least fi ve preventive measures that a law
detection canines and cadaver canines are also discussed. enforcement agency can implement in order to reduce
The course primarily uses in-depth discussion of statutory exposure to civil liability.
and appellate case law to instruct students on different legal ➤ Describe when a currency seizure is legal using a K-9.
topics, however, it also includes a mock trial component.
➤ Defi ne what constitutes an injury to a K-9 animal under
Course Objectives North Carolina law.
By the end of instruction, the student will be able to:
➤ Explain the circumstances in which a K-9 sniff is not a Methodologies
“search” under the Fourth Amendment. This course employs lecture, class discussion, an intensive
➤ List the factors courts consider in determining whether review of appellate court cases illustrating specifi c topics,
reasonable suspicion to conduct an investigatory stop and a practical exercise involving testimony. Canine offi cers
exists. are not required to bring their canines.
➤ Explain the legal methods in which a traffi c stop may be Course Requirements
extended beyond the scope of the original purpose of This is a basic canine law course involving an intensive
the stop. review of judicial decisions and other legal sources.
➤ List the factors a court considers when determining Attendance is required for the entire session. A minimum
whether reasonable suspicion exists to extend a traffi c score of 75% is required on the fi nal examination.
stop beyond the scope of the original purpose of the
stop. Course Coordinator
➤ Defi ne “consent to search” and discuss any limitations Robert Pickett
LIMIT 3 STUDENTS
on that consent. PER DEPARTMENT.
➤ Describe the conditions under which a drug K-9 can be Length of Course
used at a checkpoint. Two days (16 hours)

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