Modern era Bloodhounds used by Sir Charles Warren to try to track down the serial killer Jack The Ripper in the 1880s. Night watchmen were employed to guard premises, and were provided with firearms and dogs to protect themselves from criminals. In London, the existing law enforcement, the Bow Street Runners, struggled to contain the crime on their own, and as a result, private associations were formed to help combat crime. The rapid urbanization of England and France in the 19th century increased public concern regarding growing lawlessness. Between the 12th and 20th centuries, police dogs on the British Isles and European continent were primarily used for their tracking abilities. By the late 14th century, bloodhounds were used in Scotland, known as "Slough dogs" – the word "Sleuth", (meaning detective) was derived from this. Malo, France, where dogs were used to guard docks and piers. The first recorded use of police dogs were in the early 14th century in St. Wealth and money was then tithed in the villages for the upkeep of the parish constable's bloodhounds that were used for hunting down outlaws. History Early history ĭogs have been used in law enforcement since the Middle Ages. In many countries, intentionally injuring or killing a police dog is a criminal offense. Police dogs often regularly take training programs with their assigned handler to reinforce their training. Initial training for a police dog typically takes between eight months and a year, depending on where and how they are trained, and for what purpose. Nations is referred to as a K-9 Unit, with a specific handler, and must remember several verbal cues and hand gestures. Police dogs are used on a federal and local level for law enforcement purposes in many parts of the world. In recent years, the Belgian Malinois has become the leading choice for police and military work due to their intense drive, focus, agility, and smaller size, though German Shepherds remain the breed most associated with law enforcement. The breeds most commonly used by law enforcement are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Dutch Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever. Their duties may include searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence, protecting officers and other people, and attacking suspects who flee from officers. For other uses, see Police dog (disambiguation).Ī Belgian Malinois police dog during a demonstration in England A military police dog training An FBI Dutch Shepherd police dogĪ police dog, also known as a K-9, is a dog that is trained to assist police and other law enforcement officers.