Police body cameras are challenging the perception of K-9 dogs’ impartiality in drug-sniffing cases.
What it means: The spread of body cameras provides video evidence, potentially questioning the legitimacy of K-9 unit actions during drug searches.
* In a recent federal lawsuit in Texas, a K-9 handler’s gesture caught on camera led to accusations of prompting the dog to react.
The bigger picture: The use of police body cameras could lead to increased scrutiny of K-9 units and their handlers.
* Some experts argue that the heightened accountability could improve the training and practices of drug-sniffing dogs and their handlers.
Legal challenges on the rise: Close-up video evidence from body cameras is now being used in an increasing number of legal cases involving K-9 units, leading to calls for “double-blind” testing where the dog handler is unaware of the location or existence of drugs being tested.
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