ALL NEWS

Opinion: Should police have sent in the dog?

Feb 28, 2020, 6:08 AM | Updated: 11:29 am

This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom. 

Why didn’t they send in the police dog?

That was my first thought after watching the body cam video of a Salt Lake Police officer getting shot.

The footage came from a terrible situation in early February: crowded apartment, gunfight, bullets firing in every direction. Officers having to peek through a small window, looking for the suspect who had just shot an officer in the leg.

Why didn’t they send in the dog?

I realized I’ve never given much thought to when you use a police dog.

My knowledge of police dogs is fairly basic. I know what most people know. I know that they have the best nickname in the history of nicknames– “hair missile”. Also acceptable is the term “fur rocket”.

I first heard the description, “hair missile”, on my favorite TV show, “Seal Team”

Police dogs are fast, ferocious, and tenacious—when needed.

My sister watched 20 years of the show “Cops” eagerly anticipating any episode that featured the “hair missile.”

So again, an officer is shot, it’s an extremely dangerous and volatile situation. Why didn’t they send in the dog?

Let’s rewind a little bit.

In early February, officers responded to a distress call in an apartment building in downtown Salt Lake.

Police say that an officer spotted a man and woman through a ground-level window; they kicked out a window and ordered the male suspect to drop the gun he was holding.

This is where I will pick up the story. It’s where the released body camera begins.

What Happened?

There are two videos:

One from the officer that was shot in the leg and another from the K9 unit.

Officers are crowded around a small window. The suspect fires at the officers and hits one in the leg.

Officers drag the hit officer out of the way.

At that moment the officer was hit, the K9 unit arrives on scene and runs to the open window.

Another officer, gun drawn, is crouched at the window. The police dog is ready to go, pulling powerfully against his handler.

It appears that the dog lunges at the officer holding his gun and crouched at the window. The handler pulls the dog back a split second before the officer fires several shots into the apartment.

 

Still, the K9 is not released but retreats with his handler. As the dog retreats, it appears to nip at an officer that is approaching with his gun drawn.

 

When do police send in the dog?

“They are very well trained but they don’t necessarily differentiate– when they are in that excited state they may latch onto one of us,” said Detective Greg Wilking of the Salt Lake Police Department.

That is a nice way of saying, if a police dog sees an arm holding a gun, that arm might get bitten.

“What you want to do is, you want to think of those K9s as officers. We would never release a K9 into a situation where there is an armed subject,” said Wilking“In a situation where you are sending a K9 in on an armed subject, that has the potential to go bad for that K9.” 

“They are not there to take the bullet for an officer, they are there to make situations less dangerous for officers,” stated Wilking“We want to preserve life and sometimes the K9s are a good way of preserving life.”

 When would the right time be to send in the dog?

“The K9’s have a very specific application,” stated Wilking. “If somebody is fleeing and trying to get away and they are not actively shooting, but we don’t know that they have a weapon, that may be a case for deployment.” 

 In this instance, the suspect was shot in the exchange, survived, and taken into custody. During the investigation, a woman was found dead inside the apt.

The suspect is charged with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

Utah Jazz Collin Sexton...

Ben Anderson

Jazz 3-18 Since Trade Deadline After Loss To Spurs

At 3-18 since the trade deadline, the Jazz now sit behind the 4-19 Portland Trail Blazers as the league’s worst team since February 8.

10 minutes ago

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle Spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

38 minutes ago

IRS texts are bogus. Picture shows a sign saying "warning, scam alert" on a keyboard...

Britt Johnson

Millions to be paid for Utah’s largest real estate scheme settlement

Over $10 million in refunds will go to victims of a Utah-based real estate scheme following the settlement of a lawsuit.

2 hours ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

10 hours ago

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after he allegedly t...

Pat Reavy, ksl.com

West Jordan man shot, killed best friend while trying to ‘be funny,’ police say

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after shooting his "best friend."

10 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Opinion: Should police have sent in the dog?