Question for Police K9 folks! - Page 1

This question popped in my head today so I have to ask...

Since the positive alert on a vehicle gives you the right to search, If marijuana was eventually legalized where does that leave the future of police K9s? Of course they will still be used, I know.

How soon would the present dogs have to be replaced? Would dogs that are trained on marijuana still be used? Could the dogs be trained to only hit on large amounts?


Thank You 

Kelly

 I can answer some of your questions (I am a former LEO K9 Handler) Slamdunc will be more up to date on Rules of Evidence pertaining to the search of a vehicle.
 
Narcotic Detection dogs are generally trained to alert on more than one Narcotic, and their “alert” remains the same for Marijuana as it does for Crystal Meth, Cocaine etc.
 
If Marijuana were to be legalized I do not think this will have much impact on LEO detection dogs (as stated above –alert)
 
As far training them for large amounts only, I don’t think that is reasonably possible. In fact, when I was training my K9 we would vary the “hides” from as little as 1 gram to as much as 200 lbs.
 
 JMO
 
Kim

Thanks Kim!

Here its like heaven forbid we violate a criminals rights. Thats why I was concerned that if it were legalized, than than the courts would not allow the dogs to be used until they had new dogs that werent trained on marijuana. 

I read somewhere that currency detection dogs were trained to only alert on large sums of cash. Thats where that idea came from. LOL

Kelly- as Slam can tell you, the Courts rules change from day to day, case by case, the weather outside etc.

The best thing a K9 LEO can do is learn how to "articulate" their K9's training and keep accurate records of the same.

From my experience, some LEO's have no use for or feel threatened by the use of K9's, Why? No idea


Kim

If cannabis "herbal" was legalised it's possession might still be illegal!

The obvious answer is quantity possessed and intention to sell; the government will have strict rules on when, where, how much you can possess, where you could buy it from, where you could consume the product, not selling it without a licence, importing or exporting.

Issues around possession inside a vehicle being driven on a road or people operating machinery, minors or juveniles, schools etc.

It's huge, in Holland only dutch residents can purchase and consume on licensed premises, and after decades that looks like it will be phased out too.

In the UK if found with a bit of "personal" herbal you get an on the spot warning; recorded on the national police computer, repeat offenders get a ticket or eventually taken to court.

Our biggest problem is 20yrs later when their brains are cooked.

Incidentally in the UK, K9 officers have a GSD or Mal for searching and biting, and a second dog in the car like a Springer Spaniel for drugs or explo work.

Ronin

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