Economy of Force

c. Deterrent operations can be implemented to reduce crime and to save

manpower.

They may also be used to minimize situations requiring use of

patrol dog attack skills. All that is needed is initiative, imagination, and

sound police planning.

13.

Economy of Force.

a. Patrol dogs not only aid total use of canine skills, they also

permit supervisors to make optimum use of personnel resources.

Patrol dogs

can be used as an economy of force measure.

They can replace dismounted

sentry posts; they can reduce the number of MPs used to conduct surveillances

of large, open areas; and they can be used to spot-check warehouses

containing material highly subject to theft.

b. When performing patrol duty, the dog handler does not require the

presence of another MP to aid in performing routine tasks.

Therefore, the

police skills of the dog handler become a usable commodity, since he can

perform any task normally assigned an MP.

Unlike the handler who works

specialty dogs, he is in no way restricted by the presence of his animal.

Instead, the presence of the animal expands his potential use.

c. Experience also shows that the presence of canine units in high

crime areas can reduce the need for other MP resources.

This achieves

further savings in manpower.

Certainly the need for two-man patrols is

lessened in cases where patrol dog teams can promptly respond to requests for

aid.

The need for two-man patrols is also lessened when the dog teams can

routinely back up other patrol elements.

d. When used for routine law enforcement tasks, patrol dogs can

normally perform 8-hour tours of duty. This is especially true when they are

used as mobile patrols.

Limiting factors in this respect stem more from

climatic conditions and availability of suitable transportation than from

job/task considerations. In contingency cases, patrol dogs can work 12-hour

shifts on mounted patrols without great loss of efficiency.

In determining

length of duty tours, the following items must be considered:

(1) Needs of the command.

(2) Climate and terrain.

(3) Transportation available.

(4) Tasks to be performed.

(5) Ability of the dog.

14.

Controlled Aggressiveness.

a. To be successful as a law enforcement tool, patrol dogs must be able

to work around people. They must do so without becoming distracted.

MP1001

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