K9 Case Law

Course Introduction

1)  Instructor introduction.

2)  Explain the course objective.

a) Recognize situations a K9 can legally be deployed.

b) Understand K9 search and seizure case law.

c) Apply learned knowledge in the field.

3)  Encourage attendees to ask questions and share feedback with other attendees.

4)  Explain that certificates will be emailed after the class and each student will be registered in the Blue to Gold University.

5)  Go over the three disclaimers:

a)  Laws and agency standard operating procedures may be more restrictive. Blue to Gold teaches the federal standard unless otherwise stated. Therefore, students must know their state and local requirements in addition to the federal standard.

b)  If students have any doubts about their actions, ask a supervisor or legal advisor.

c)  The course is not legal advice, but legal education. Therefore, nothing we teach should be interpreted as legal advice. Check with your agency’s legal advisor for legal advice.

Module One: Constitutional Principles

1) The Fourth Amendment a) State Provisions

2) Burdens of Proof

a) Hunches, Reasonable Suspicion & Probable Cause

b) Reasonable Suspicion

c) Probable Cause

3) N.E.R.D.S.

4) Two Searches

5) Two Seizures

Module Two: Non-Search Activities

1) Abandoned Property

2) Plain View

3) Open Fields

4) Consent

Module Three: K9 Training

1) Terminology

2) Cueing

3) Certification

4) Sample Policy

Module Four: Drug Detection

1) Traffic Stops

2) Free-air Sniffs

3) Traffic Stops With R.S.

4) Removing Occupants

5) Pre-Alert Touching

6) Motor Vehicle Exception

7) Searching Passengers

Module Five: Domiciles and Parking Lots

1) Domiciles

a) Reasonable Expectation of Privacy

b) Apartments and Hotels

2) Parking Lots

Module Six: Parcel Interdiction

1) Possessory Interest

2) Schools

a) Lockers & Cars

b) Case

c) Students

d) Persons

Module Seven: Use of Force

1) K9 Deployment

2) Graham v. Connor

a) Severity of the Crime

b) Immediate Threat

c) Resisting Arrest

d) Other Factors

●  Suspect Believed to be Armed

●  Warrant Issued

●  Under the Influence

●  Alternative Methods

●  Criminal History

●  Time of Day

●  Number of People

●  Suspects vs. Cops

●  Anti-Police

●  Mental Health Issues

●  De-escalation

●  Suspect Hiding

●  On Leash

●  Environmental Factors

●  Clear Line of Retreat

3) Deadly Force

4) Jail Settings

5) Tactical Teams

6) Community Caretaking

7) Warnings

8) Conflicting Commands

9) Handler Control

10) Case Studies

11) Injuring a K9

Module Eight: Post Force Follow-Up

1) Post Arrest Care

2) Report Writing

3) Liability

4) Qualified Immunity

5) 1983 Civil Suits

6) 242 Indictments

7) Duty to Intervene

8) Civil Liability