DOG SQUAD
A Dog Squad of West Bengal Police has been sanctioned to be located either in district police lines or a Police Academy Police Order Nos.11 and 14 of 1957, 10 of 1959, 08 and 14 of 1976 relate to Police Dogs and Kennels. A copy of these Orders should be kept for ready reference with the O/C Dog Squad.A report of the Committee constituted by MHA and circulated by BPR & D on Augmentation of Police Dogs and related issues is kept in the Academy Library under Sl. No. 173, AL-18 which may be used as reference.
Reference: National Training Centre For Dogs (NTCD) [Established in 1970]
The training of the dog starts at the age of six to nine months. Dogs and Handlers are imparted training in disciplines as specified and demanded by their respective departments. The training of the Dog and the Handler is conjunctive in nature and no leave of any kind is allowed during the course of training. Only mid term break of 5-7 days (depending on course duration) is permitted once during the course. At the end of the course the Dog and the Handler have to qualify in the written and practical test in order to be certified as a trained dog and handler. The training period can be extended (minimum 12 weeks) if the performance of the Dog and/or Handler is not found satisfactory at any stage during the course. GSDs and Labradors are proven breeds for explosive and narcotic detections. Every defence department opted for these two breeds for such activities. Dogs have very high power of sensibility, superior detection power and peculiar unmistakable vision. When man can see an angle of 180o, dogs can do it upto 270o. Dogs can detect any unusual movements in crowded public/hidden areas and they are born with supernatural capability to hear pin drop sound.
Objectives:
The objectives of having the police dogs in the West Bengal Police are mentioned below –
i. Tracking and Crime Detection;
ii. Explosive Detection;
iii. Narcotic Detection;
iv. Casualty Detection;
v. For training of dogs and dog-handlers about the use of the Police Dogs for the above
mentioned tasks
Staffing a Dog Squad:
DySP- 01
SI -02
ASI- 01
Constable as Handler- 10-11
Kennel Boy – 05
Dog – 5- 6
Management of Dog Squad
For day to day functioning an officer of the rank of Sub-Inspector has been detailed to act
as O/C, Dog Squad. He works under direct supervision of the CDI (I). He is responsible for the following:—
i. He will be responsible for the detailment of staff for daily routine duty and training
programme;
ii. He will be responsible for quickest movement of dog for outside duty as and when
required;
iii. He will be responsible for proper care of dogs including medication / vaccination
etc.;
iv. He will be responsible for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of the Dog Squad;
v. He will be responsible for maintaining files, registers, stock book etc. of the Dog
Squad;
vi. He will be responsible to put up important papers, statements etc., to CDI (I);
vii. He will ensure that the Dogs are given their feed at the correct time in the
sanctioned scale;
viii. He will be responsible for procurement and storage of medicine prescribed by the
veterinary doctor;
ix. He will be responsible for maintaining government properties of the dog squad;
x. He will be responsible to put up statement, stock books, records etc. for monthly
checking;
xi. He will be responsible to give information to CDI (I) about any type of illness /
injury etc. of the dog, in time;
xii. He will be responsible for trade wise training of the dogs and procure necessary
training equipment/material;
xiii. He will be responsible for periodical checkup of veterinary examination by a
veterinary doctor;
xiv. He will carry out any other duties assigned to him by the supervisory officer.
Selection of Dog Handlers:
Selection of handler is very important in dog training. An unsuitable handler will invariably lead to failure of the dog training. Following points may be kept in mind at the time of selecting a dog handler:—
i. Willingness: An unwilling person cannot be a good dog handler as such only willing
persons should be sent;
ii. Friendly attitude towards dogs: An individual selected to train and handle dogs must have a genuine love and interest in dogs. The dog and handler should feel generally attached to each other;
iii. Intelligence: It has been demonstrated that individuals with less than average intelligence cannot be taught to care and train dogs successfully;
iv. Patience and perseverance: The trainer must be patient and perseverant. Each exercise is needed to brought to a successful conclusion. The trainer cannot force desired behaviour upon dogs, nor can he expect a dog to learn as rapidly as a human being can;
v. Mental and Physical coordination: A good trainer must be able to convey his wishes to the dog by body movements and gestures as well as by voice. This requires a definite amount of mental and physical coordination;
vi. Physical endurance: The trainer must have the stamina to out last his dog during each training session. The trainer should be able to show good coordination as well as the ability to pursue his efforts as long as necessary;
vii. Resourcefulness: Although the training procedure is carefully set forth, it is inevitable that situation will arise calling for action not covered by the rule. A trainer must meet these situations with his initiative;
viii. Dependability: The welfare and physical well being of the dog is entirely in the hands of the trainer and, therefore, the trainer should be willing to do all manual labour connected with kennel management, feeding and keeping the dog healthy and clean. Failure in the discharge of these responsibilities will mean a failure of the training programme;
ix. Security consciousness: Since police dogs are often employed for detection of explosive, narcotics and in guarding sensitive installations, it is imperative that the trainer should be security minded, and fully aware of his responsibilities in this respect. A talkative man is not suitable for this job;
x. Age preference: New entrants who are introduced to dog training have to stress themselves more with dog. Therefore, their age at the time of selection should not be more than 30 years. However, it can be extended by five years subject to their physical fitness. Handlers who were earlier handling dogs and come for training due to death of their dog, have to stress less due to their earlier experience. They can train their dog with more ease, and can be accepted up to the age of 40 years provided they undergo the training other than tracker dog training. For tracker dog training, more physical fitness is needed. Therefore, his age should not be more than 30 years.
Duties of Dog Handlers:
i. He will work under the close supervision of O/C dog squad;
ii. He will always remain alert for checking of kennel and dog;
iii. Will be responsible for giving illness / injury report etc. if any, of the dog to O/C dog
squad. He will stay at kennel premises during illness of the dog;
iv. Will be responsible for giving defect reports etc. if any, of the Kennel to O/C dog
squad;
v. Will be responsible for proper daily training exercise and grooming etc. as per
schedule; He will ensure that the dogs are not over exercised / overworked;
vi. Will be responsible for in time feeding, medication, de-worming, vaccination etc. of
the dog as well as to ensure that there is no contamination etc;
vii. Will be responsible for proper maintenance of government articles issued for the
dog, kennel etc;
viii. Will be responsible for prompt movement and proper care of the dog during outside
duty;
ix. Will perform any other duties assigned to him by O/C Dog Squad/ supervisory officer.