The first recorded use of dogs performing police work was in St. Malo, France in the early 14th century, when they were used to guard dock installations.
But it was not until 1888 when the modern police dog originally came into being. It was at that time when the London Metropolitan Police Force first used two bloodhounds to track suspects by scent as part of the infamous Jack the Ripper investigation. Although “The Ripper” was never apprehended, the use of police dogs continued.
Many are unaware that police working dogs are truly considered full-fledged police officers. Assaulting, injuring, or killing a police canine carries the same punishment under the law as the equivalent offense committed against a human officer.
The K-9 Unit is one of the field components of the uniformed division assigned to the day platoon; as such, it is deployed at the direction of the Day Commanding Officer in keeping with all policies, procedures, rules and regulations.