Composition of the canine unit

The SPVM canine unit is made up of:

• 9 dog handlers
• 9 operational dogs
• usually, between 5 and 10 dogs in foster families.

The unit may count on the services of 9 dog and handler teams, with dogs specializing in specific types of work:

• 7 dogs have general purpose training with a specialization in narcotics detection
• 1 dog have a specialization in building research and in explosives detection
• 1 dog have specialized explosives detection training

Roles and responsibilities

The canine unit supports the SPVM officers in their investigations and daily activities. It is also called upon to work in certain operations where its specialties are required.

For example, the unit:

• Cooperates with other police forces in Québec that do not have a canine unit
• Works with the dog handlers in other police forces during major events
• Participates in media, community and cultural events (in schools, community meetings or television shows) to promote the canine unit and the SPVM

Areas of intervention

The dogs in the SPVM canine unit are trained to intervene in a number of situations:

Substance detection

• Narcotics
• Explosives
• Firearms

Outdoor search

• Objects used in the commission of a crime
• Stolen objects
• Evidence
• Firearms or bladed weapons

Indoor search

• Hidden suspect
• Missing person

Manhunt

• Lost or missing person
• Suspect on the run
• Cadaver

Tracking

• Fugitives
• Missing person

Protection of police officers

• High-risk operations
• Armed or violent individual
• Police strike (against fugitives)

Patrol

• High crime areas
• Parks and green spaces
• Metro stations
• Sites with large crowds
• Application of Highway Safety Code in the territory

Alternate information

Postes de quartier map

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