New law requires Utah K9s and handlers to get training after series of abuse investigations
Regardless of what type of dog you own, chances are that you’ve trained or had them trained to some degree. This is especially important with police K9s who often find themselves in harrowing situations that require them to remain under control. But that is not always the case with all police departments.
Now, a Utah police department has been ordered, through a new state law, to train their K9s and handlers before sending them out to protect the public.
A new law is introduced
The new law was introduced after a series of recent investigations into abuse by police handlers with the Salt Lake City Police Department in regards to their K9 units and suspects. The investigations were started after videos surfaced of police handlers allowing their K9s to attack suspects who had surrendered.
A series of attacks
In all, there have been 34 cases in the Salt Lake City area alone. Before the bill was passed into law the department’s dog apprehension program had been suspended. A total of six officers and four dogs involved in the incidents were placed on administrative leave.
“The idea of holding an officer liable for something that they did not have control over is concerning to me,” bill sponsor Republican Sen. Daniel Thatcher said during a virtual meeting. “At the same time what brought this attention to this issue was not something that the dog did. It was a command given by the handler.”
Police handlers and K9s now require training
The law, which was passed in early 2021, requires certification of police K9s and their handlers before they are allowed to perform their duties with the public. Also, the law requires both handlers and dogs to get recertified every year.
In many of the 19 videos that the department released, the police handlers are shown ordering the K9s to bite suspects who had already surrendered or who had been incapacitated. Several of the suspects who were attacked can be heard crying out in pain on the videos, while the handlers can be heard encouraging the K9s’ behavior.
Raising the bar on accountability
The bill will next be sent to Utah Governor Spencer Cox will then either sign it into law or veto the measure.
“It does raise the bar on accountability and responsibility, which is something we’ve been working very hard,” Senator Thatcher said.
You can watch more of the released footage in the video below.
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