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HITS K9 Consulting Services

Expert guidance for law-enforcement K9 programs

HITS provides consulting services to support law-enforcement agencies facing legal scrutiny of K9 deployments or evaluating the strength of their K9 programs.

The HITS team reviews training practices, deployment decisions, policies, and documentation to evaluate whether K9 teams are operating in accordance with accepted training and legal standards.

  • Expert review of K9 deployments, training records, and policies
  • Consulting support in criminal and civil court cases involving police dogs
  • Independent evaluation of department K9 programs and documentation practices
    • Request consulting information
    Doberman police dog wearing K9 harness walking on grass with mouth open and tongue out.
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    How HITS provides consulting support

    HITS consulting is typically provided in two primary areas: expert testimony in legal cases involving police dogs and independent evaluation of department K9 programs.

    01

    Expert testimony in use-of-force cases

    Police K9 deployments may result in civil lawsuits when a suspect is apprehended using a police dog.

    HITS provides expert review and testimony, evaluating the deployment, apprehension tactics, handler training, and department policies governing canine use of force.

    This analysis helps courts determine whether the K9 team acted within accepted operational and training standards.

    02

    Detection reliability in criminal court

    Police dogs are often used to detect narcotics and other odors in vehicles, parcels, buildings, and other locations.

    When charges are filed, defense attorneys may challenge the reliability of the dog and handler.

    HITS reviews deployment records, training documentation, video evidence, and testimony to evaluate whether the detection followed proper training and legal standards. Expert testimony may then be provided.

    03

    Program audits & legal defensibility review

    HITS also conducts independent reviews of department K9 programs.

    These audits examine training practices, documentation systems, policies, and operational procedures used by K9 teams.

    The goal is to identify weaknesses, strengthen documentation practices, and help align programs with legal expectations affecting police K9 deployments.

    HITS leadership has contributed expert insight to major legal cases shaping how police K9 deployments are evaluated in U.S. courts.
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    Police officer in uniform standing on grass watching a German shepherd sniff the ground.

    Where K9 programs see the biggest improvements

    Departments working with HITS consulting often aim to strengthen the long-term reliability and defensibility of their K9 programs.

    Consulting can help agencies:

    • Evaluate training records and deployment documentation
    • Identify weaknesses in policies or operational procedures
    • Strengthen record-keeping used to demonstrate reliability in court
    • Improve oversight of K9 teams and training practices
    • Increase confidence when deployments are reviewed in legal proceedings
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    What agencies say about HITS consulting

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    Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

    ‍

    Greg Edlund
    Broward Sheriff Office

    Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

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    Brian Laas
    Arvada Police Department

    Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

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    Neil
    US Park Police

    Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

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    Unknown Attendee

    Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

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    Mark
    BCB K9

    Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

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    Attendee
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    Bring structure and clarity to your K9 program

    If your agency is facing legal scrutiny of a K9 deployment or evaluating ways to strengthen its program structure and documentation practices, the HITS team can provide experienced guidance and independent review.

    Request consulting information
    Trainer holding leash of an alert German shepherd dog crouching on grassy field.