Canine Units

Legislative/Regulatory Requirements

Section 5(1)(d) of the Adequacy Standards Regulation requires that police services have canine tracking investigative supports.

Under section 5(5), these supports may be provided by:

• using the police service’s own members;

• entering into an agreement with the board of another police service or entering into an agreement with the boards of one or more police services to provide those supports on a combined, regional or cooperative basis; or

• entering into an agreement with one or more persons or organizations other than police forces to provide the supports by means of a person or organization that is not a police force.

Section 14(1)(a) requires the Chief of Police to establish procedures and processes in respect of canine tracking as an investigative support.  If a board obtains those supports by entering into an agreement with one or more persons or organizations other than police services to provide those supports by means of a person or organization that is not a police service, where it is legally permissible, the person providing the investigative support shall, according to section 14(2)(a) and (b):

• report directly to, and take direction from, the member of the police service to whom the investigative support is being provided; and

• comply with the procedures and processes of the police service in respect of the investigative support.

Furthermore, section 14(4) requires the Chief of Police to ensure that persons who provide investigative supports have the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide that support.  Finally, section 29 requires a police services board to establish a policy with respect to general investigative supports. 

Definitions

Canine team refers to one dog and one handler.  Canine unit consists of one or more canine teams.

Board Policy

It is the policy of the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board with respect to the services of canine tracking that:

1. the York Regional Police will provide the services of a canine unit by using its own members; 

2. the services will be available 24 hours a day and within a reasonable response time; and

3. the Chief of Police will:

   1. establish procedures that set out the circumstances in which the services of the canine team will be deployed, including the process for obtaining the services and reporting relationships;

   2. establish procedures for the deployment of other emergency response services, including assistance from other agencies;

   3. develop and maintain a manual on canine services that is available to each member providing this service;

   4. ensure that members performing the functions of a canine team and/or unit have the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide the canine functions assigned;

   5. ensure the ongoing training of members who provide this service; and

   6. ensure that the appropriate equipment, consistent with the Ministry’s recommended equipment list, is used/available to the members who provide this service.