The Canine (K-9) Corps
Of the Baltimore Police Department
By:
Inspector Leo T. Kelly
November 1959
EDITOR'S NOTE:
There are many who feel that the use of dogs on patrol merits serious consideration by Police
Departments everywhere.
In this revealing article, Inspector Kelly points the way with basic information concerning
the formation, administration and use of this new police unit.
In addition, in a letter to the Editor, he states, "Since the innovation of the Canine
(K-9) Corps in this Department, we have found that the use of trained dogs properly controlled by experienced
police officers has undoubtedly been an excellent deterrent, particularly when they are assigned to those areas of the city
where the records show crime to be most prevalent.
We have also found that trained dogs are particularly effective for apprehending offenders fleeing from the scene of a crime; detecting burglars in operation; dispersing disorderly crowds; appearing
at the scene where an officer may be having trouble with a prisoner; trailing and detecting wanted persons hidden in wooded
and suburban areas, particularly at night, and for other uses.
We plan to add additional police officers and dogs to this unit in due course of time."
ON Tuesday, December 11, 1956, an article was published in one of our local newspapers
which was one of a series of articles written by one Martin Millspaugh pertaining to Scotland Yard. This
article, the last of a series, was devoted to the use of police dogs in London. As a result of the letters and inquiries received
by Commissioner James M. Hepbron, an article appeared in the Morning Sun on December 17, 1956 which
briefly stated that Commissioner Hepbron was interested and saw the possibilities of using dogs in the
Baltimore City Police Department.
On December 18, 1956, two dogs that had had previous training were offered to the Baltimore
City Police Department and, with two officers also with previous dog experience, the program was put into
effect on an experimental basis. By the middle of January 1957, fourteen dogs had been acquired as potential candidates and
fourteen men were selected and assigned to the K-9 Corps. These men were chosen as a result of a questionnaire
which was sent to all members of the department asking for volunteers.
These men and dogs were trained daily until March 1, 1957. At that time, they were
put on the street on, Friday and Saturday nights, working the areas where crime was most prevalent.
Shortly after this, actually on April 17, 1957, Commissioner Hepbron, considering the
experiment a success, went before the Mayor and City Council and appropriations were made through the
Board of Estimates which resulted in the K-9 Corps becoming a permanent part of the Baltimore City Police
Department.
ADMINISTRATION:
The administration of the Canine (K-9) Corps is under the direction of an Inspector of
Police. A Lieutenant has been placed in command of the unit, and he has a civilian trainer assigned to
him whose sole responsibility is the training of the officers and the dogs. There are also 3 sergeants assigned to the K-9
Corps who assist in the training program. These sergeants also monitor the activity of the K-9 patrol
force in the field under the direction of their commanding officer.
These sergeants were selected on the basis of their qualifications,
and previous knowledge' and experience in training and handling dogs. The balance of the organization at present consists of 30 officers (patrolmen), a clerk and 40 dogs.
METHOD OF SELECTING OFFICERS:
It must be kept in mind that an officer to work with a dog must want to do so-he cannot be forced
into the job as his reactions to his work reflects in the animal.
All officers, therefore, must volunteer. From this list they are carefully screened and selected.
First, they must meet certain requirements:
(a) They must live in their own home. This home must have adequate
ground or a yard to house and care for a dog.
(b) The officer's wife and family must be investigated from the stand point of willingness and approval.
(c) They must have available an automobile to use at all times.
(d) Their personnel record with the department must be good.
(e) Sufficient practical police experience or knowledge before being
assigned to unit.
The cost of the K-9 Corps consists of the salary of the personnel assigned to the unit plus
an estimated" figure of $200 per year per dog.
(This latter figure is based on the cost of food, equipment and veterinary charges.)
All dogs have been donated outright to the department for use in police work. They must be German
Shepherd dogs (male) sound of body, physically fit and of good even temperament-neither vicious nor shy, and preferably under
3 years of age.
No kennel facilities are provided. Each dog is assigned to an officer and from that point on
lives with him at his home. The fact that the dog is with the officer constantly not only provides a closer bond of relationship
between man and dog, but it also eliminates the necessity of the erection of expensive kennels and the personnel to staff
same.
Food is purchased by the department and distributed to the individual officer as required. This
food consists of a kennel biscuit and canned horse meat or beef.
Each officer is taught to train his own dog. The dog is first trained, in basic obedience, and
tested for gun shyness. Next, attack work and then trailing (location of lost persons or criminals). Finally, the dog is trained
to locate articles or materials that could be used as evidence. (It is extremely important in the attack training that the
dog attacks only on command of his handler and releases immediately when told.)
OPERATION:
Members of the K-9 Corps are assigned to the Headquarters Roster and they are available for
use any\~here in the city. This unit operates on a three shift basis. Shifts No.1 and No.3 work concurrently between the hours
of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Shift No.2 works the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This results in an officer working two weeks of night work followed by one week of day work.
There is also a small force operating on the streets in radio cars between the hours of 1 a.m. and 9 a.m.
During the day shift the training of the men and dogs is intensified and developed. All men
on the day shift are on a standby basis for emergencies, but, by the rotation method, a small force operates in radio equipped
vehicles and occasionally on foot, on the street during the daylight hours. (It is important that both officers and dogs continue
in their training to keep up their effectiveness and to increase their ability.)
Officers of the Corps and their dogs are assigned to sections of the city where crime is most
prevalent. They replace manpower due to the fact that additional officers need not be assigned to these areas. The actual
area in which the dog is to operate is given to each District Commander via teletype on Monday of each week so that he can
utilize the assignment of extra men to areas other than those covered by dogs.
Primarily, a dog and officer work on foot and are assigned two posts instead of one. These dogs
are always worked on leash and only released when actually necessary to apprehend a criminal. However, 4 radio patrol cars
are utilized-one being the Monitor Sergeant. The dogs ride in the cars with these officers and, being mobile, are very effective
in taking calls anywhere in the city.
TYPES OF CALLS HANDLED BY THE K-9 CORPS:
Possibly the greatest value of police dogs lies in their mere presence on the street. The psychological
effect has been tremendous and their deterrent effect on crime cannot be measured.
Primarily they are assigned to areas where assaults, purse snatchings and yokings (muggings)
are most prevalent. However, the dogs are very effective in dispersing and controlling crowds, in searching buildings, in
assisting with arrests and the actual apprehension of criminals.
They are also detailed (during visiting hours) in the vicinity of our hospitals as a preventive
measure against purse snatchings and assaults, etc.
Their function is not to replace the Post Officer, but to work in conjunction with him, keeping
in mind that their effectiveness is greatest on the public streets and in the city parks.
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS:
Upon requests, the members of the Corps demonstrate the use of their trained dogs at both private
and public functions throughout the city, and the adjacent counties.
These exhibitions are most interesting and the requests have become so numerous that we find
it impossible to comply with all of them. We have established excellent public relations through these demonstrations.
SUMMARY:
As of this date, the Baltimore City Police Department is utilizing the services of 40 trained
dogs. At the present time, we have 18 officers and dogs patrolling the streets of Baltimore on foot each night, in addition
there are 4 radio patrol cars each with officer and dog.
The Canine (K-9) Corps occupies a building formerly used as a Police Station. The detention
cells in this building are occasionally used for housing our dogs. The building is spacious and contains ample space for expansion.
Much of the training during inclement weather takes place in the basement of this building. There is also an out-of-doors
fenced in training area which is situated in one of our city parks within close proximity to our present quarters.
The general public has accepted this program wholeheartedly and the press has been most cooperative.
The entire program has had the desired effect, and that possibly can be summed up in this brief statement-"You can argue with
a Police Officer, but you cannot argue with his dog."
ACTIVITIES OF THE K-9 CORPS-YEAR 1958:
ARRESTS :
Assault and Robbery................................................4 Cases.
Assault........................................................................56 Cases
Larceny.......................................................................21 Cases
Disturbing the Peace...............................................18 Cases
Drunk on the Street.................................................28 Cases
Deadly Weapons......................................................17 Cases
Trespassing.......................................... …………......1
Case
Vagrancy .....................................................................8 Cases
Indecent Exposure....................................................5 Cases
Burglary......................................................................18 Cases
Tampering 'With Automobiles.........………............1 Case
Cruelty to Animals....................................................15 Cases
Disorderly Conduct...............................................275 Cases
Purse Snatch...............................................................2 Cases
Escapees From Penal Institution......…………….6 Cases
Total.........................................................475 Cases
Radio Cars of the K-9 Corps responded to 2404 calls.
PLACES SEARCHED BY MEMBERS OF THE K-9
CORPS
Buildings searched..........……....................240
Wooded areas searched.....………………....7
Ships searched.................................................1
Total……………………………….................248
DEMONSTRATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE K-9 CORPS
Television Shows....................................................3
Service Clubs and Patriotic Organizations....24
Schools......................................................................8
Cub Scouts.............................................................38
Total………………………………..........................73