Dog search
- A dog search is where a dog trained in the detection of unauthorised items assists in a search.
- The dog must be under the control of an officer or security officer or other specified person.
- The handler and the dog must be trained and certified as competent and operational by the NZ Police Dog Training Centre.
- Any search using a dog shall be conducted with decency and sensitivity and in a manner that affords to any person being searched the greatest degree of dignity consistent with the purpose of the search.
- While a dog is being used for a search, the person in control of the dog shall not allow the dog to come in physical contact with the person being searched, and the dog has as little contact with property as is necessary to facilitate the detection of unauthorised items.
Further information on use of drug detection dogs is contained in the PPM system B.19 Use of Detector Dogs.
Cultural/ religious issues around use of a Search Dog
- Any person wishing to enter a prison must comply with the requirement to allow dogs to search their vehicle for the purposes of detecting an unauthorised item.
- Any person wishing to enter a prison will be permitted to remove food, prayer mats and/or other religious artefacts from a vehicle on cultural or religious grounds before a search dog enters a vehicle.
- A throw-over rug, sheet or similar (provided by the person wishing to enter the prison) may also be used to cover cultural and/or religious artefacts before a search dog enters a vehicle.
