”Being consistent, making good decisions and keeping proper documentation will limit your liability and make you a better K9 handler and K9 supervisor.”
This web site serves as a resource for K9-related information serving law enforcement that also includes occasional email blasts on relevant topics to subscribers. I am posting articles and sharing “Reasons We Get in Trouble” archived (in the right column or below depending on your device) as time allows. Please “subscribe to email list” on this page if you want to be on the email list and receive notifications of new “Reasons” postings or other posts sent via this web site.
Proficiency Assessment Forms Now Available for California and Idaho
The new “check the box” two-page form to conduct a “Proficiency Assessment of Core Competencies” for patrol K9 teams is now available to test and evaluate for use by supervisors, trainers and handlers. There’s more information at the bottom of this page.
“The biggest liability with training police K9 teams today is the majority of the time is spent training the dog.”
I do not plan on conducting any Canine Liability 360 or Canine Supervision 365 classes this year due to other personal commitments and endeavors. I am still available for “informal consulting services” or questions pertaining to canine supervision or other K9-related inquiries.
Thank you for your continued support!
– Bill Lewis II
Sergeant Bill Lewis II (Retired) has over 47 years of law enforcement and instructor experience related to patrol operations, K9, SWAT, supervision, and leadership. He has published various articles relating to legal trends, case decisions, K9 teams and K9 programs. He started working with K9 teams in 1980 as a decoy and later as a handler, supervisor, SKIDDS instructor, trial judge, consultant, K9 unit evaluator, certifying official for NPCA and CA POST, and expert witness – over 34 years of K9-related experience. He created and served as the “Canine Liability 360” instructor for 18 years teaching handlers, supervisors and administrators across the United States and was the co-instructor for “Canine Supervision 365.”
Sergeant Lewis retired from the Oxnard (CA) Police Department with over 27 years of service. He served on SWAT for over 25 years with 18 years as a team leader and has provided tactical instruction across the United States and Brazil to civilian law enforcement and the military. Sergeant Lewis is the owner of Training and Consulting Team and facilitates the web site TacticalK9USA.com. He can be contacted at sgtblewis2@aol.com.
Proficiency Assessment Forms Now Available for California and Idaho
The new “check the box” two-page form developed by Sergeant Bill Lewis II (Retired) to conduct a “Proficiency Assessment of Core Competencies” for patrol K9 teams is now available for supervisors, trainers and handlers to try and/or utilize for a trial period to further evaluate. There is no charge for this form, and it can be modified by an agency for its use. It is a “work in progress” and may change based on input from users. The current forms are based on certification standards currently in California and Idaho with a generic form and other state-specific assessments being developed.
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the proficiency, control and standard patrol-related performance of each K9 team based on core competencies using scenario-based and/or field exercises. Based on the assessment and results, recommendations may be made by the K9 Supervisor and/or K9 evaluator for improving the performance of a K9 team and addressing any deficiencies at subsequent training sessions. The form can also be used by a trainer to assist in recording exercises and results at maintenance training sessions with documentation retained by the agency and potentially entered later into software training programs.
To request either form, contact Bill Lewis II at sgtblewis2@aol.com and identify which state form you are requesting.
