cj 235 unit 7 seminar the police service dog and lethal force © 2010 jonathan dorriety

CJ 235 Unit 7 SeminarCJ 235 Unit 7 Seminar

The Police Service Dog The Police Service Dog and Lethal Forceand Lethal Force

© 2010 Jonathan Dorriety

Historical Look at Use of ForceHistorical Look at Use of Force

• Early years of modernized police saw two Early years of modernized police saw two basic use of force weapons: baton & firearmsbasic use of force weapons: baton & firearms

• Firearms are deadly by designFirearms are deadly by design• Batons became deadly by method of useBatons became deadly by method of use• Dogs were used by the police in 1907Dogs were used by the police in 1907• Their early use faded outTheir early use faded out• It reappeared in 1954 It reappeared in 1954


• For the most part firearms and batons were For the most part firearms and batons were the tools of choice when force including the tools of choice when force including deadly force was needed.deadly force was needed.

• Other impact weapons made their debutOther impact weapons made their debut


• For the most part firearms and batons were For the most part firearms and batons were the tools of choice when force including the tools of choice when force including deadly force was needed.deadly force was needed.

• Other impact weapons made their debutOther impact weapons made their debut• PR-24 or Side-handle batonPR-24 or Side-handle baton• ASP BatonsASP Batons• Extendable BatonsExtendable Batons


• Any baton or striking weapon can result in Any baton or striking weapon can result in death if used on the right target areasdeath if used on the right target areas

• Other technology brought about less-than-Other technology brought about less-than-lethal tools such as OC Spray or Oleoresin lethal tools such as OC Spray or Oleoresin Capsicum or Pepper SprayCapsicum or Pepper Spray

• Tasers and other electronic devices that target Tasers and other electronic devices that target the neuromuscular systems and temporarily the neuromuscular systems and temporarily paralyze muscles paralyze muscles

Interesting NoteInteresting Note

• Baton have resulted in many deaths usually Baton have resulted in many deaths usually from blows to the head and the courts from blows to the head and the courts recognize batons as lethal weapons.recognize batons as lethal weapons.

• OC spray has been associated with several OC spray has been associated with several deaths, yet no court has ruled it as a lethal deaths, yet no court has ruled it as a lethal weapon.weapon.

• Tasers have been associated with several Tasers have been associated with several deaths, yet no court has ruled it as a lethal deaths, yet no court has ruled it as a lethal weapon.weapon.

Interesting NoteInteresting Note

• There have been less than five deaths There have been less than five deaths associated with police dogs, that I have been associated with police dogs, that I have been able to find research on.able to find research on.

• The most visible one we are discussing is the The most visible one we are discussing is the case case Robinette v. BarnesRobinette v. Barnes

• Burglary of car dealershipBurglary of car dealership• Police issued warningsPolice issued warnings• Dog bit subject in the neck who was hiding Dog bit subject in the neck who was hiding

under a car – subject bled out.under a car – subject bled out.

QuestionQuestion

• Does a singe death through the utilization of a Does a singe death through the utilization of a thing such as a dog place the dog in the deadly thing such as a dog place the dog in the deadly force category?force category?

• Why or Why Not?Why or Why Not?

© 2000 Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dorriety

Possible AnswersPossible Answers

• We know, under the right conditions, a dog We know, under the right conditions, a dog can kill a person.can kill a person.



• What must be examined is the propensity or What must be examined is the propensity or the natural inclination that death would occur the natural inclination that death would occur using a police dog? What are the chances?using a police dog? What are the chances?



• What must be examined is the propensity or What must be examined is the propensity or the natural inclination that death would occur the natural inclination that death would occur using a police dog? What are the chances?using a police dog? What are the chances?

• The chances are extremely low and that is The chances are extremely low and that is why why Robinette v Barnes Robinette v Barnes stated that police stated that police dogs did not constitute deadly force.dogs did not constitute deadly force.

Injury PotentialInjury Potential

• The article in The article in Police Dog TacticsPolice Dog Tactics by Dr. Charles by Dr. Charles Rennie (Pages 7-8) give us a good idea of the Rennie (Pages 7-8) give us a good idea of the injury potential from police dog bites.injury potential from police dog bites.

© 1999 Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dorriety


• The article in The article in Police Dog TacticsPolice Dog Tactics by Dr. Charles by Dr. Charles Rennie (Pages 7-8) give us a good idea of the Rennie (Pages 7-8) give us a good idea of the injury potential from police dog bites.injury potential from police dog bites.

• ““There is no evidence in the literature that There is no evidence in the literature that police canine bites become infected more police canine bites become infected more frequently than non-police canine bites” (p. frequently than non-police canine bites” (p. 7).7).


• The article in The article in Police Dog TacticsPolice Dog Tactics by Dr. Charles by Dr. Charles Rennie (Pages 7-8) gives us a good idea of the Rennie (Pages 7-8) gives us a good idea of the injury potential from police dog bites.injury potential from police dog bites.

• ““There is no evidence in the literature that There is no evidence in the literature that police canine bites become infected more police canine bites become infected more frequently than non-police canine bites” (p. frequently than non-police canine bites” (p. 7).7).

• Why might the infection rate be less? Why might the infection rate be less?


• Police canines most likely receive better Police canines most likely receive better health care, more frequent check ups and health care, more frequent check ups and annual vaccinations than the vast majority of annual vaccinations than the vast majority of people’s pets.people’s pets.


• Police canines most likely receive better Police canines most likely receive better health care, more frequent check ups and health care, more frequent check ups and annual vaccinations than the vast majority of annual vaccinations than the vast majority of people’s pets.people’s pets.

• Victims of police dog bites receive immediate Victims of police dog bites receive immediate medical attention (usually just before going to medical attention (usually just before going to jail).jail).

SummarySummary

• Propensity of death resulting from a police Propensity of death resulting from a police dog bite are extremely remote.dog bite are extremely remote.

• Medical care provided by police with Medical care provided by police with advanced antibiotics make chances of advanced antibiotics make chances of infection after the bite remote as well.infection after the bite remote as well.

• U.S. Supreme Court has ruled police dogs do U.S. Supreme Court has ruled police dogs do not constitute deadly force. not constitute deadly force.

Questions or Additional Questions or Additional Discussion?Discussion?

cj 235 unit 7 seminar the police service dog and lethal force © 2010 jonathan dorriety

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