Patrol vehicles used to transport police K-9s often face significant shortcomings that can affect the safety and effectiveness of these teams, says Robert S. Eden, owner of Eden Consulting Group and author of the K9 Supervisors Manual—Dynamics in Developing and Managing Police K9 Units .

“What’s really lacking is quality cars,” he says. “There are agencies that provide good quality cars for their K-9 teams and then there are those agencies that provide second-hand vehicles with 80,000 miles on them. The supervisors in those agencies have the mindset that ‘I will not give a K-9 handler a new car just to put a dog in it.’”

But this mindset derails safety and morale, Eden adds. “An agency that manages their teams well and uses them properly is sending K-9 teams to Code 3 calls, more than anyone else on patrol,” he says. “Agencies can improve the safety of officers and their dogs and enhance the morale of K-9 teams with better vehicles that are properly equipped.”

But that starts with sufficient funding, which Eden says is also lacking in many agencies.

“A lot of agencies do not fund their K-9 units properly. It’s the only section of the department that has to beg for money to operate,” he says. “The first place they cut costs is with the car. I’ve seen agencies where they have welded a piece of metal to the floor because the floorboards are so rusted out. I’ve seen cars with a block of wood under the seat to hold the seat in place because the bolts have broken off. I’ve also seen agencies assign officers a vehicle they have to share with other handlers. None of that is OK.”

1. Quality of Vehicles

Instead of providing handlers with second-hand patrol cars with high mileage, Eden recommends assigning them newer vehicles. These vehicles offer improved safety, reliability, and faster emergency response. They are able to carry and protect valuable K-9 assets. Sedans can work for K-9 teams, but Eden advocates for SUVs to accommodate the dog's cage and all necessary equipment.

2. Single-Handler Vehicle Assignment

Assign each handler their own vehicle, rather than sharing cars with other officers, Eden recommends.

When a handler is given a dedicated patrol vehicle, Eden says he is more likely to take care of it and keep it in top condition. In the end, the vehicle will longer because the handler kept it up better.

Take-home vehicles are also crucial because they provide the flexibility needed for emergencies, he adds. Handlers can be called out at any time, and having a vehicle ready at home reduces response times.

Providing each K-9 team with its own vehicle also limits the spread of disease between police K-9s. When multiple dogs share a vehicle, Eden shares there is a higher likelihood of illness transmission.

“If a dog gets sick with an intestinal type illness, when you put another dog in that car, it can contract that contagious disease from the other dog,” he says. “Now you end up with extra downtime because both dogs are sick.”

3. Avoid Prisoner Transport

Eden says some agencies, due to logistical reasons or limited resources, require K-9 handlers to transport prisoners in their vehicles. While K-9 vehicles can be equipped with specialized cages that separate the dog and the prisoner, he says this practice should be avoided.

“It can raise questions about coercion when you are transporting a prisoner with the dog in a separate compartment nearby. A lot of suspects are afraid of dogs,” he says. “Also, having a dog and a prisoner in the same vehicle—despite being separated by a cage—raises potential issues regarding the safety of both the dog and the prisoner.”

When transporting a prisoner, the team becomes unavailable during that time, which limits the handler’s ability to respond to incoming calls that require K-9 assistance, he adds.

“The ideal situation is to have that officer assigned to calls that do not require him to take prisoners into custody or have another car there to transport a suspect after an arrest,” he says.

4. Essential Vehicle Features for K-9 Safety

A well-equipped K-9 vehicle is more than just a car—it’s a mobile unit that must prioritize the safety of the dog while maintaining the effectiveness of the team. The most crucial feature for any K-9 patrol vehicle is a secure, properly designed cage that protects the dog during transport, according to Eden.

“Ideally, the cage should be accessible from both sides of the vehicle and include an emergency-release mechanism for accidents and malfunctions,” he says. “If the cage is in the back of an SUV, for example, it should still have an option that allows the dog to be extricated from the back seat, should there be an accident where the back of the SUV is no longer accessible.”

A temperature monitoring system, such as those offered by Ace K-9, is just as important as the cage, adds Eden.

These systems monitor temperature in the vehicle, notifying the handler and taking automatic action if temperatures rise to dangerous levels. If the car loses power or the air conditioning system fails, these systems can activate fans and drop the windows to ensure airflow, which helps keep the dog cool and safe.

“An Ace K-9 system saved my dog one day,” Eden says. “I was in the office writing reports when the air conditioner in my patrol vehicle stopped working and the car started to overheat. The system notified me, and I was able to get my dog out of the car before he overheated.”

An emergency-release mechanism is also a vital component for handler safety. With these systems, handlers can release their dogs remotely via a button on their belt. Position the release mechanism to open the vehicle's passenger-side rear door, keeping the dog safe from traffic, Eden adds.

However, Eden notes dogs should be trained not to leave the vehicle once the door pops open unless they receive a verbal command. “This prevents the dog from leaving the vehicle if something malfunctions and the door accidentally pops open, which can cause further problems,” he says.

5. Storage Solutions for Equipment

Eden emphasizes adequate vehicle storage is critical for K-9 units' operational and training equipment.

He says the best option for K-9 units is an SUV with a roomy back. SUVs have ample room for storing bulky items, such as bite suits, muzzles, tracking lines, harnesses, and other essential equipment.

For teams involved in specialized work, such as narcotics detection or SWAT deployments, the vehicle should also be equipped with secure storage compartments to hold evidence or sensitive materials. For example, a dog trained in narcotics or explosives detection may require specialized storage for their training aids.

6. Markings and Visibility

The issue of vehicle markings is another consideration for K-9 units. While some agencies opt for highly visible markings to indicate a K-9 vehicle, others prefer a more subtle approach. A popular solution is the use of "ghost markings," which Eden says are reflective decals that are only visible under certain light conditions. These allow the vehicle to maintain a low profile during surveillance operations while still ensuring it is identifiable in emergency situations.

While highly visible markings can deter potential criminals or those who might taunt the dog when they see a K-9 marked vehicle that draws their interest, Eden says they can also make the dog a target for unnecessary harassment. He shares that sometimes, individuals may approach a marked vehicle and tease the dog, which can lead to aggression and unnecessary stress for the animal.

“I’ve dealt with people pounding on a door because it says it has a police K-9 inside,” he says. “They think it’s funny to tease the dog, but of course, it makes the dog very aggressive and protective. An unmarked unit reduces that problem, which is why I prefer an unmarked or ghost marked unit, not one that is fully decked out with K-9 markings on it.”  Additionally, tinted windows add to the effectiveness of the cooling system for the dog as well as helps to prevent passers by from noticing a dog in the vehicle.

7. Cost Considerations

Equipping a patrol vehicle for K-9 use is an expensive undertaking, according to Eden.

The cost of a temperature-monitoring system like the "Hot n Pop" is approximately $1,900. In addition, a custom-designed cage can range from $5,000 to $6,500 depending on its specifications. Storage solutions, such as aluminum drawers for the back of the vehicle, can cost up to $2,000 per drawer. However, Eden reminds these systems are crucial investments to ensure the safety and effectiveness of K-9 units.

Takeaways

For both dog and handler, correctly equipping a patrol vehicle for K-9 use is key to safety and efficiency.

Quality vehicles, customized cages, temperature monitoring systems, and ample storage solutions all contribute to creating an ideal environment for the dog to work in.

By prioritizing the needs of K-9 teams, law enforcement agencies can significantly enhance the safety of officers and the valuable K-9 assets they rely on every day.