Sheepdog Guardian
Consulting

Both California bills AB2042, and AB3241, seeking to amend and create legislation regulating police service dogs in the State of California have been defeated for a second time.  Agencies and handlers should not, in my opinion, let their guard down.  I do not believe this will be the last time the police service dog industry will see such attempts to dismantle the police service dog industry as we know it.  Therefore, if we want to be treated as professionals, we must be educated, trained and deployed like professionals.  Please do not misunderstand what I am saying.  I think most agencies and handlers are, but some are not.  This should serve as a great reminder of what is important now.  Staying the course as professional police service dog agencies and handlers!

 

August 5, 2024, California AB2042, was voted to be suspended.  This bill would have required the commission, on or before January July 1, 2026, to develop guidelines, as specified, for the use of canines by law enforcement.  The bill would have authorized the commission to periodically update those guidelines.  The bill would have required law enforcement agencies with a canine unit, on or before July 1, 2027, to adopt a policy for the use of canines that, at a minimum, complied with the guidelines developed by the commission.  Because the bill would have imposed additional requirements on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would have imposed a state-mandated local program.

 

August 31, 2024, California AB3241, was ordered to inactive file.  This bill would have required the commission to adopt uniform, minimum guidelines regarding the use of canines by law enforcement, including legal standards established by the bill, and to certify courses of training for all law enforcement canine handlers and those law enforcement supervisors directly overseeing canine programs, as specified.  The bill would have required, on or before July 1, 2025, each law enforcement agency to maintain a policy for the use of canines by the agency that, at a minimum, complied with the guidelines adopted by POST, and would have required law enforcement agencies to establish a training regimen that included a course certified by the commission.  Because the bill would have imposed additional duties on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would have imposed a state-mandated local

program.

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