LESSON 2/TASK 1
Canine Patrols. Military police working dog teams compliment and enhance the abilities of other
patrols. Dog teams can be either foot patrols or motor patrols. The use of the dog team focuses on the
skills of the dog. The patrol dog is the basic US Army working dog. Some patrol dogs have been
trained in additional skills such as tracking and narcotics and explosives detection.
Dog teams should be employed to take maximum advantage of the dog's keen sense of hearing and
smell, as well as its agility. They are particularly effective in searching for either persons or various
items. Dog teams may be employed at entry points, for example, to detect contraband. They may also
be used to assist in the detection of intruders in enclosed areas. The presence of working dogs is a
substantial deterrence to criminal activity.
Working dog teams are expensive to train and represent a very substantial investment in both time and
money. They also require a great deal of specialized care and attention. Working dog teams are not
generally suitable for routine patrol work. They should not be substituted for other patrols, but used to
augment them. They are not, therefore, as versatile as a motor patrol. In many situations, when
properly employed, they are more effective and can reduce some manpower requirements.
Other Patrols
The preceding are the basic types of patrols employed by the military police. Different installations may
require variations of these patrols. With some limited exceptions, these variations are in the type of
equipment used. This is especially true of motor patrols. Rather than using sedans, the situation at an
installation may require the use of four wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, pick-up trucks, or other
types of transportation.
In addition to these variations, military police may also be required to use horses, aircraft, or boats.
The use of aircraft is most common. Many installations use aircraft for law enforcement support on at
least an incidental basis. They are particularly effective for use in traffic observation and control.
Aircraft can also be helpful in surveillance work.
The use of all of these additional modes of transportation and patrol require special training.
Additionally, there is a substantial cost involved in the equipment and its maintenance. Their
employment must be evaluated on an individual mission basis.
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