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K-9 Operations and the Law

April 9, 2021 @ Paducah, KY | Host: Police K-9 Magazine

Register: Call 270-534-0500 or email info@policek9magazine.com or register online

Cost: $150 per person

Instructor: John M. Peters
40 years experience as a practicing attorney in police litigation and appeals.

Bar Admissions:

State Bar of Michigan
U.S. District Courts in Michigan and Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Guest Instructor:

American Police Canine Association
Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association
Maine State Police K9 Unit
Michigan State Police K9 Unit
National Association of Professional Canine Handlers
Oakland Police Academy
Ohio Law Enforcement Canine Association
United States Police Canine Association
Washington Police Canine Association

Legal Author & Editor:

Police K-9 Magazine – K-9 Cop Magazine

The instructor is also experienced in training and working with dogs in the areas of tracking, obedience and aggression through sport and as a decoy and helper at police canine seminars.

Class Objectives and Features

Not simply a legal update session, this class takes a dynamic and interactive approach to educating police canine handlers and supervisors on current criminal and civil laws which govern the performance of their duties. The class draws on the actual experiences of the instructor and those attending the class to highlight the legal topics being covered. Officers are taught the importance of training and record keeping, how to avoid litigation, how to win when brought into litigation and how to use their own unique professional status to change the laws that govern the performance of their duties.

Representative Topics Covered1

  • 4TH Amendment Overview
  • K-9 Vehicle Sniffs
  • Tracking Evidence
  • Use of Force in Deployment of K9
  • K-9 Pre-Deployment Warnings
  • K-9 Record Keeping and Report Writing K-9 In the Era of Marijuana Legalization
  • Avoiding and Defending the Civil Lawsuit Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Supervisory Liability
  • K-9 Certification Standards
  • K-9 Failure to Train Issues
  • Mutual Aid Agreements Involving K-9
  • K-9, Community Relations and The Law

Length of Class
Approximately 6 hours + break time

Class Materials

  • There are no hard copy materials distributed.
  • Each attendee will receive an electronic copy (PDF) of the full Power Point used for the class following completion of the class (by email).
  • Each attendee will also be asked to complete and submit a class review sheet.
  • The instructor sets no limit on the number of those attending.
  • A projection system is required for presentation of the Power Point.

Note on Legal Advice This course is educational in nature and does not create an attorney/client relationship between the instructor and any person attending the class. Anyone with a specific legal matter requiring representation should consult their agency attorney, State Attorney General, local prosecutor or private counsel in your State.

1 At the request of the host agency topics may be deleted or added.