http://tacticalk9usa.com

Some "tactics" to prepare for court and the street...

-

"Canine Liability 360"

"Being consistent, making good decisions and keeping proper documentation will limit your liability and make you a better K9 handler and K9 supervisor."

CL360 is the most comprehensive (and affordable) one-day liability seminar now being offered! It serves as an essential phase for the handler and supervisor to assist in managing their K9 program and preparing for their potential "legal defense" to prevail in the event of a lawsuit by examining TAC Team's "360 Degrees of Responsibility" involving a single purpose patrol dog or cross-trained police service dog assigned to patrol and/or a tactical team.  The instructor is Sergeant Bill Lewis II (Retired) with over 34 years of law enforcement and instructor experience related to patrol operations, K9, SWAT and supervision.  He has published various articles relating to legal trends, police dogs and K9 programs.  He started working with K9 teams in 1980 as a decoy and later as a handler, supervisor, instructor, trial judge, certifying official and expert witness - over 23 years of K9 experience.

Note: This class is not recommended for detection-only K9 handlers.  The primary focus of the class addresses the use of patrol ("bite") dogs and the associated liabilities to potentially reduce risk and avoid trouble.  Handlers of single purpose tracking/trailing dogs that may or may not bite a suspect at the end of the trail could benefit from attending this class.

K9 handlers, supervisors, administrators, and SWAT team leaders (who deploy with K9 teams) from the same agency are encouraged to attend together so everyone involved with their respective police dog program can simultaneously learn information and hear recommendations for successfully running their program. By doing so, they should all leave with a better understanding of each other's duties, responsibilities and liabilities. This class has been taught across the United States to experienced - and newly-appointed - K9 handlers, K9 supervisors, K9 administrators, patrol supervisors, patrol watch commanders, SAR handlers, Police Chiefs, SWAT supervisors, and SWAT team leaders as well as city attorneys, prospective handlers, decoys, trainers, an Assistant Police Chief, County Attorney, and Risk Manager.

"The best time to prepare for a lawsuit and prevail is before the bite - good or bad - occurs."

Participants will learn from the firsthand experiences of the instructor - successes and mistakes - as well as experiences of other handlers and supervisors involved with other K9 programs as some cases and recent incidents not found in "case law updates" are reviewed and lessons learned shared.  The class will include a review prior to the class of actual K9 deployment narratives with related discussion about the reports during the class as well as a report writing exercise at the class as part of the report writing section.

Information shared in this class will assist in K9 program management and may also assist to maintain or justify the retention of your K9 program during budget "cutback" considerations in these tough economic times.

Are you a new K9 supervisor?  Have you recently attended a liability and supervision course regarding K9 operations and supervision?  Do you have any previous "K9" experience?  One of these 360 courses had over 50% of supervisors and commanders in attendance with "zero" experience with police dogs and K9 operations...and that's commendable because they were attending this class to better learn about their K9-related duties and responsibilities.

This class as well as "Canine Liability for Patrol Supervisors" (see September 12 below) will also assist patrol supervisors and watch commanders with minimal to zero knowledge of K9 operations and policies who are currently supervising or who may supervise patrol K9 handlers - but are not assigned as the current K9 supervisor.  In most agencies, patrol supervisors, not the designated K9 supervisor, are assigned as the immediate supervisors for patrol K9 handlers and responsible for the first-line supervision and primary evaluation of the handlers.  Immediate supervisors and other patrol supervisors become "K9 supervisors" in terms of liability when a K9 team is deployed under their supervision during a field operation or works in the field under their general supervision.  Patrol supervisors are usually knowledgeable with patrol operations and liability aspects related to the other less lethal tools, but less familiar with patrol supervision and liability as it relates directly to the police service dog.

Course topics include:

"Control and Case Law"

Policy & Operational Manual

"Reasons We Get in Trouble"

Use of Force

Selection and Retention

Training & Documentation

Report Writing

Deployments and Debriefs

"The Court of Public Opinion"

Dealing with Unintentional Bites

K9 Field Training Program

Evidence Collection & Retention

Off-Duty Care & Compensation

Supervision and Discipline

Attendee comments from course evaluations;

"This course exceeded my expectations due to the amount of information.  This course covered all the needed information, not only for the new supervisor, but ones that have been around awhile."

"I have been to two separate canine liability classes and this class by far was the best and most informative."

"Bill [Lewis] was a great speaker, highly knowledgeable on K9 programs and how to avoid a disastrous outcome after a deployment."

"This was an invaluable course that contained tons or relevant, realistic information.  Things taught and learned are applicable to all police organizations.  Bill Lewis does an outstanding job relating his experience and the realities of the K9 world.  He talks about mistakes and solutions to issues that arise."

"By the way, we are doing a K9 handler oral board today.  I'm glad I went to your class.  It has already been very helpful." (sent via e-mail two days after a class)

"Bill [Lewis] has a ton of knowledge and readily shared it with the entire class."

"I learned our agency is on the right path but I also learned we could do better."

"I am a K9 coordinator for our K9 unit but was never a handler myself.  This class gave me the basis for understanding some critical areas of liability in my own department."

"There was no stone left uncovered - everything was covered from forms to policies to case laws to reference materials."

"You covered as much in one day than a 3-day K-9 supervision class I attended and did it better."

"This class is a MUST for lieutenants and captains regardless of their K9 affiliation.  This way, when a K9 supervisor makes a request, we won't run into red tape and money issues."

"Excellent instructor!  I would e-mail him in a heartbeat if I had an issue or questions."

"Opened my eyes to problems with my department's K9 unit."

"Your course exceeded my expectations and helped me realize just how much I did not know!"

"I had no experience as a [K9] supervisor.  I feel more comfortable now having this knowledge."

"As a patrol sergeant, this class covered the 360 degrees of K9 work for me."

"Almost everything taught is something that can be taken back to our unit that will better prepare and protect our handlers and other officers who work with the K9 unit."

"As we all know, law and liabilities are boring but very necessary topics.  This class was NOT boring!"

"I thought this class would be like others I have attended.  I was wrong and received very useful information."

"I've been in canine for six years and have been to many legal updates that included liability.  My expectations for this course were high and you met them.  Thank you."

"I learned more from you in one day than a 5-day [K9 commanders] course I took."

-

Scheduled classes for 2013:

May 22 - Galt, California.  Hosted by Galt Police Canine Unit.  This class is limited to 32 on a first-come basis. THIS CLASS IS FULL.

June 19 - Corona, California. Hosted by Corona Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  This class is being presented both independently as "Canine Liability 360" on this date and also as day one of the 2-day "Canine Liability for SWAT" course (see below).  It is not required to attend day two if you only want to attend this class.  If you have attended a CL360 class within the past two years, it is recommended to only register for day two on June 20 to take advantage of the second half of the "SWAT" course.  This class is limited to 56 on a first-come basis. Persons who register for both days (June 19/20) will receive their choice of a TAC-3 leash or 6-pak of Tyan Wedgie doorstops ($35.00 value).  To make a reservation or receive more information, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   THIS CLASS IS "TECHNICALLY" FULL BUT WE ARE TRYING TO SECURE A FEW MORE SEATS.

June 20 - "Canine Liability for SWAT" - Day Two - Corona, California.  Hosted by Corona Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  This day is part two of the "Canine Liability for SWAT" overall course.  Day one is "Canine Liability 360" (see above) and is optional.  This day will consist of the presentations "Canine Legal Issues" by Los Angeles-based Attorney Gene Ramirez from the law firm of Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester, LLP and "K9 Integration/Case Studies" by Brad Smith from Canine Tactical Operations (SKIDDS/CATS).  This class is limited to 56 on a first-come basis. Persons who register for both days (June 19/20) will receive their choice of a TAC-3 leash or 6-pak of Tyan Wedgie doorstops ($35.00 value). To make a reservation or receive more information, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 22 - Naperville, Illinois. Hosted by Naperville Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  This class is limited to 35 on a first-come basis. To make a reservation or request a course announcement, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 24 - Rochester, Minnesota.  Hosted by Rochester Police Department.  This class has been approved for 8 credits of continuing education credit by Minnesota Board of POST.  Course #5501-0593.  Tuition is $95.00.  Registration deadline is July 3. To make a reservation or request a course announcement, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 8 - Tucson, Arizona. Hosted by U.S. Forest Service - Law Enforcement.  Tuition is $95.00.  Registration deadline is July 25. To make a reservation or receive a course announcement, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 29 - Minot, North Dakota. Hosted by Minot Police Department Canine Unit.  Tuition is $95.00.  This class is being presented independently and in conjunction with a 3-day "Minot Police K9 Seminar" (August 26-28) with Vohne Liche Kennels.  Registration is being handled separately for CL360 and that deadline registration is August 7.  Contact K9 Officer Titus Clouse at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for "K9 Seminar" information.  To make a reservation or receive a course announcement for Canine Liability 360, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September 12 - "Canine Liability for Patrol Supervisors" - Corona, California. Hosted by Corona Police Department. New Course! This class is for patrol supervisors, Incident Commanders and Patrol Watch Commanders with zero to minimal knowledge of K9 operations - it is NOT recommended for K9 handlers, prospective handlers, or current K9 supervisors. Tuition is $75.00 or "Register 4/Pay-for-3" plan option.  This class is limited to 60 on a first-come basis. To make a reservation or receive a course announcement, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September 16 - Modesto, California. Hosted by Modesto Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  This class is limited to 42 on a first-come basis. To make a reservation or receive more information, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September 24 - West Allis, Wisconsin. Hosted by West Allis Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  This class is limited to 36 on a first-come basis. To make a reservation, receive a course announcement or request more information, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

October 8 - Parachute, Colorado. Hosted by Parachute Police Department.  Tuition is $95.00.  To make a reservation or receive more information, contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All classes restricted to law enforcement personnel on a first-come basis.  Tuition for classes can be paid securely online after reservation confirmation at http://www.tacteamstore.com

-

Previous classes;  Scottsdale, Arizona (Mar 19, 2013), Antioch, California (Feb 12, 2013), Muskogee, Oklahoma (Jan 22, 2013), Fontana, CA (Nov 8, 2012), Vancouver, Washington (Sept 21, 2012), Santa Rosa, CA (Aug 14, 2012), Bend, Oregon (July 23, 2012), Carlsbad, CA (July 18, 2012), Corona, CA (May 21, 2012), Breckenridge, Colorado (May 9, 2012), Whittier, CA (Feb 23, 2012), Paso Robles, CA (Oct 17, 2011), Simi Valley, CA (Oct 11, 2011), Flagstaff, AZ (Aug 29, 2011), Henderson, Nevada (Aug 24, 2011), Modesto, CA (Aug 15, 2011), Norwalk, Connecticut (Apr 5, 2011), Corona, CA (Feb 1, 2011), Chicago, Illinois (Oct 28, 2010), South Euclid, Ohio (Oct 26, 2010), Cape Coral, Florida (Oct 12, 2010), Buena Park, CA (May 19, 2010), West Covina, CA (May 18, 2010), Payson, AZ (July 10, 2008), and Oxnard, CA (Mar 28, 2007).

-

This class is offered with free tuition allocated for a host agency, organization, association or K9 Unit, based on the number of paid registrations.  Contact Bill Lewis II at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for hosting requirements or more information.