THE MALE GERMAN SHEPARD IS THE MOST POPULAR AND PROVEN DOG FOR POLICE WORK; IT IS UNMATCHED IN OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND UTILITY. IN PHILADELLPHIA, DOGS ARE DONATED BY CITIZENS. AN INITIAL EVALUATION OF THESE ANIMALS INCLUDES A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE DOG'S PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND FUNDAMENTAL TESTS RELATING TO THE DOG'S CURIOSITY, INTELLIGENCE, ALERTNESS, AND COURAGE. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY A THOROUGH PHYSICAL EXAMINATION BY A VETERINARIAN. HAVING PASSED EXAMINATION THE DOG IS ASSIGNED TO A CANINE HANDLER WHO MUST BE EXPERIENCED IN POLICE WORK, CONSCIENTIOUS, SELF-RELIANT, OF EVEN TEMPERAMENT AND IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION. TRAINING IS DESIGNED TO CHANNEL THE DOG'S INSTINCTS INTO A PREDICTABLE COMMAND-RESPONSE PATTERN. IN PHILADELPHIA A 14 WEEK CANINE TRAINING PROGRAM IS USED WHICH INVOLVES A POLICEMAN/TRAINER. AREAS OF INSTRUCTION INCLUDE TRAINING IN OBEDIENCE, AGILITY, SCENT WORK, TRACKING, EVIDENCE OR ARTICLE SEARCH, FIELD SEARCH, BUILDING SEARCH, AND AGGRESSION TRAINING. IN AGGRESSION TRAINING, THE DOG IS TAUGHT TO PURSUE AND PHYSICALLY APPREHEND A SUBJECT ON COMMAND AND TO INDEPENDENTLY REACT IN ANY SITUATION WHERE HIS HANDLER IS BEING HARMED. CONTROLLING THE DOG AT ALL TIMES IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN AGGRESSION TRAINING. TRAINING IN ALL THE ABOVE AREAS TAKES PLACE ON TRAINING GROUNDS AND IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE CANINE TEAM WILL OPERATE. FOR INSTANCE, TEAMS ASSIGNED TO THE SUBWAY UNIT RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY 60 HOURS OF TRAINING IN THE SUBWAY SYSTEM. FIELD TRAINING PERMITS THE CORRECTION OF ANY TRAINING DEFICIENCIES AND ALSO PERMITS THE HANDLER TO ASSESS THE DOG'S TEMPERAMENT, PARTICULARLY HIS REACTIONS TO AND TOLERANCE OF THE PUBLIC. THE 14 WEEK TRAINING WILL EQUIP THE DOG TO HANDLE CROWD CONTROL SITUATIONS. ONE INNOVATIVE USE THAT HAS BEEN MADE OF TRAINED CANINES, HAS BEEN AS BACKUP PROTECTION FOR DECOYS IN THE GRANNY SQUAD. THIS HAS BEEN MOST EFFECTIVE IN APPREHENDING PURSE SNATCHERS AND HAS RESULTED IN A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN PURSE SNATCHING. (JAP)