PTSpotlight PTSpotlight K9 SECURITY IN PT NETWORKS April 2014 Introduction The security staff of a transport network has to fulfill many functions: deterrence, detection, intervention, investigation of threats of all nature including explosives or drugs, and guarding of premises, often 24/7. Some operators have brought in K9 (dog) units as a tool and support for the staff, others have chosen not to. To better understand the motivation, benefits and procedures behind canine use, SNCF asked UITP to survey members of the Security Commission. Background A third of direct respondents report using K9 security in their networks. They are large metropolitan metro networks, two in Europe and two in the United States. Questions were put forward concerning not only the motivation behind canine use, but also the training and handling procedures, as well as the range of costs involved. Networks that do not use dogs were surveyed on their reasons and plans for the future. It is worth noting, from the start, that networks who do not use dogs may still allow the police to bring dogs in their facilities when required. A previous survey 1 revealed that only ¼ of respondents did not experience police dog use on the premises. Extensive information about operators that use K9 security has been compiled from reports of the Hochbahn-Wache, New York and Washington Metro Transit Authorities, Metro Lisboa and TMB Barcelona. 1 Denis Luyten, UITP, November 2011 results in Annex
Purpose K9 units can be trained for a large range of tasks. The main purposes of the dogs are patrolling, guarding, detecting, and tracking, with an option on crowd control and pursuit. They are used for crime prevention and as a deescalation factor rather than as a weapon. More precisely, K9 units can be tasked with: protection of security guards on patrol detection and tracking of intruders to prevent graffiti, vandalism or copper theft drug detection and explosives detection ( vapor wake 2 ) with senses keener than those of a human officer identification of suspicious luggage deterrence of criminal activity in a busy transit hub assistance in fines for incivilities. K9s are rarely used for all these tasks combined. Indeed, training is more effective when it focuses on a single capacity or complementary skills. Furthermore, as dogs work partnered with one (ideal) or two (maximum) handlers, the tasks of the unit are limited by the assignation of the handler(s). However, the service being expensive, it is more advantageous to use K9 for a variety of purposes. For instance, Metro Lisboa uses dogs on night patrols, protecting private security guards on the job of checking facilities, detecting and tracking intruders when necessary. In New York, the Metro Transit Police also uses dogs for crowd control in case of threat to officers, to apprehend and escort suspects. In Washington, some of the K9 patrol units respond to robberies, intrusion and assault, searching for evidence after flight. In Barcelona, dogs also come along on day patrols to increase perceived security. Those K9 teams also offer assistance and information. Operators report that dogs are good for dealing with aggressive persons, and serve as an effective deterrent. 2 Vapor Wake canines are always on ; trained to constantly sample the air for explosive vapor or particles and once detected, proactively track the scent wake back to its source.
Cooperation K9 units might also be deployed in networks by the Police forces. Washington there are canine units present the whole day, on all three shifts. In Lisbon, police canines regularly train inside stations, which increases the sense of security for client whereas private K9 units hired by the operator only patrol at night, never in stations during operational hours. Police K9 in regular patrols Police K9 in case of special threat The Washington Metro Transit Police can send special units for narcotic and explosive detection. In a 2011 survey, 5 networks 3 reported having no K9 units of their own but allowing police canines in their networks at times of increased risk or suspicious items. In 4 cities 4, the police regularly patrolled the network with detection dogs. K9 presence Private security K9 units Networkowned K9 units Handling and Equipment Dog use is dependent on the regional or national laws for canine deployment in some cases dogs are listed as a weapon, or only the Police might have the authorization to use canine security in public areas (as in Lisbon). Half the respondents report their canine units work muzzled; half, un-muzzled. Dogs always operate as part of a patrol (one dog, one or two men) in specific uniform, which can go from leather outfits and muzzle/leash in Hamburg to full Battle Dress Uniform in Washington. Where enough units are available, dogs work by shift (4 to 5h per shift in Lisbon), and in Additional Equipment Kennels and dog boxes + Transport solutions. Handlers carry special equipment for the dogs (mineral water, a bowl, strap, necklace, brush ). K9s are always transported from their shelter (handler s home or kennel) to assignment spots, and between assignment spots, in vehicles specially outfitted to protect dogs from injury. 3 Survey launched by Secur-ed at UITP.Krakow, Stuttgart, JR East, SMRT Singapore, Santiago 4 London, Roma, Brussels, Lisbon
Acquisition and Training Acquisition The breeds of security dogs cited by respondents include German, Dutch and Belgian Shepherds, Rottweiler, and Belgian Malinois, with an option for different breeds for specific capacities. They are bought from private breeders between 12 months (Hamburg) and 3 years of age (Washington). Acquisition price varies. In Europe the cost of a trained dog is around 2K, or 700 for a green (untrained) dog. In the United States, prices are higher as dogs are imported from Europe, with $6K to $8K for a green unit for the WMATA. Dogs retire either at a set age or whenever they can no longer physically perform their duty (around 10 years, although this is highly variable). When a dog retires, they are in most cases adopted by their handler. K9 units deployed in the transit infrastructure might be owned by the network itself, by private security companies hired by the network, or by the police division in charge of transit locations. Training In all cases, canines go through an initial training process with their intended handler. The initial training is developed either by a private dog trainer, by the police authority (ex: the MTPD in Washington), or by equivalents if a K9 class cannot be handled through the usual process. Basic patrol training takes 15 to 17 weeks, or 10 weeks for narcotics and explosive detection. During the work life of the K9 unit, dog and handler attend re-training at different intervals on average one day every two or three weeks.
The cost of ongoing training depends on trained capabilities. One of the aspects of applied training consists in performing in the same place or places where service will take place, in order to familiarize the dog with the handler and the surroundings. For PT, good training includes a specific program to adapt the dogs, based on week-long immersion in a realistic environment (station and vehicle). Additional costs include insurance, health, housing, equipment and transportation of the dogs. In the 2011 survey, half of the networks which owned dogs also had kennels located on their premises. 5 Acquisition Price (green dog - trained dog) EU : 700-2.000 US : 6.000-8.000 $ Total cost including initial training As evaluated by Hamburger 15.000 Hochbahn-Wache Ongoing cost of training 600 / year As evaluated by Metro Lisboa Additional costs Housing, Equipment, Insurance, Transportation Perception Operators who do work with canines report that it is well perceived by customers. K9 use works well for external representation, and in Hamburg, has a positive effect on the working atmosphere of the company. In Lisbon, clients have a good impression of the Police K9 at stations. Still, operators might choose not to use dogs for a variety of reasons. No K9 Use For some, the issue has never come up; those, like JR East, usually have a good partnership with police forces who deploy canines in the network when needed. In Singapore, SMRT will trigger police response for such issues as explosives detection, and the police decides which resources to put in. Other operators have considered, and rejected, the use of K9 security. At STCP 6, the company decided against using dogs to prevent metal theft because the depot they would be guarding was too close to a school. In Berlin, BVG reports that many passengers would feel harassed by a dog. Furthermore, unpleasant odors and dog hair allergies would be difficult to account for. And the cost of maintenance is prohibitive; Munich MVG noted that K9 units generate costs round the clock for a limited time of deployment and limited capacities. 5 Rome, Brussels, Barcelona 6 Bus, Porto, PT
Conclusion In the past years, transit operators have taken on an ever-larger range of security tasks, either internally or through hiring private security staff. The dogs are really used as a supplementary resource, complementing the guard in their work as a team. They are a real asset for deterrence and valued for their skills of detection and tracking. K9 presence already a staple in American networks is still being debated in Europe. Some networks consider they are not suited to canine deployment: for example, underground facilities with a high density of passengers, where security personnel are already armed. In other cases, networks already have procedures to deal with crowd control, detection and suspicious luggage (X -ray detectors, linear junction detectors, plainclothes agents 1 ), and canine use is considered redundant. Should explosives and drug detection be the responsibility of PT companies, or the responsibility of the police? Are the security benefits worth the total costs? And, beyond objective security: does K9 presence increase or decrease the perception of service quality by transit passengers?