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###  Law Enforcement Spotlight: Round Rock Police Department - Improving Safety Measures During Encounters with Canines 

 June 2017 | Volume 10 | Issue 6

Law  enforcement agencies across the country have been under high criticism from the  public for negative and sometimes fatal outcomes when police encounter dogs in  the community. In a few previous incidents, officers with the Round Rock [Texas] Police Department have been involved in fatal dog shootings, even after completing the  online COPS  Office Dog Encounters Training. In response, Round Rock Police Department leadership decided to take  action and implement new training and tools. 

          The Round Rock  Police Department, in collaboration with the Animal Control Unit, created a new  community-based initiative called *B.A.R.K.:  Be Aware of Residential K9s*. The B.A.R.K. Alert Program is designed to improve  officer safety and empower citizens by alerting first responders to the  presence of animals at a residence. Community members voluntarily register  their pets and service animals with the program. Officers are forewarned of the  possibility of an animal encounter, and are able to bring the necessary  equipment to handle that encounter in a way that is safe for both the officer  and the animal.  The program is free for  residents and all owners, but especially those with large-breed dogs, are   encouraged to participate. 

          Advertising  the B.A.R.K. program was initially challenging, and citizen registration was  lower than expected. However, the program was successfully promoted by local  vaccination clinics, the Williamson County Animal Shelter, and pet-related  businesses in partnership with the Police Department. A B.A.R.K postcard was distributed  to residents that resulted in a significant increase in registrations, and the department’s  public information specialist was also able to raise awareness for the program  through social media. Currently, there are 945 Dog on Site registrations at  residences in Round Rock, and the program is expected to keep growing as  information spreads.

          Residents with  ‘Dog on Site’ registrations are given BARK Alert stickers, which alert officers  and has the added benefit of deterring burglaries. The cost of printing the  alert stickers was minimal and has the added benefit of improved trust between  police and the community.  Further, the  B.A.R.K program has had a dynamic impact on the community and on the police  department’s public relationships. It has provided the department opportunities  to speak with pet owners about animal and officer safety, as well as increased  the police department’s support from the local businesses, clinics, and  shelters that advertise the program.

          In addition  to the community-based B.A.R.K program, Round Rock sworn police personnel have completed  over 700 total training hours in dealing with aggressive animals, including  interactive training with canine expert Jim Osorio. This ongoing training reminds  officers to seek out signs of aggression for animals.  Officers now use treats and other tactics to  interact with animals in the field and are generally able to deescalate  situations. Officers have also been issued and trained on animal catchpoles, a  tool that allows officers to humanely restrain an aggressive animal. Previously  only animal control officers had this tool. These actions were implemented  prior to the Texas state mandate for Texas law enforcement officers to undergo  canine encounters training.

          The result  of these changes was recognized when a local citizen sent a letter to the  department commending an officer for not shooting his dog even though the dog  bit the officer. Officer Randall Frederick’s actions in that encounter were honored  by the National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse in 2015. 

          One  neighboring police department has already implemented the B.A.R.K. program in  its community, under a different name and many more departments can benefit  from replicating either the program or any of its component parts: registration  of household animals, the now-mandated training, and the use of catchpoles by  police officers. Together, these changes increase public and officer safety and  improve community relations—changes law enforcement agencies across the county  would find highly valuable.

           A simple  google search of the terms “police dog shooting” will reveal the nationwide  extent of the issue of fatal dog shootings. We truly believe that any  department willing to take action on this issue can experience a noticeable  change in how their officers interact with animals during calls for service.

          The Round  Rock Police Department will continue to explore new ideas and advertise at  special events to increase participation. The program is expected to continually  grow as the information reaches more residents in the City of Round Rock.

Round Rock Police Department          Angelique Myers, Public Information Officer        (with thanks to the B.A.R.K. program)
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