RESUMO
Objectives: To experimentally examine public perceptions of police canine units. Methods: As part of the between-subjects paradigm, participants were randomly assigned to view and rate an image of a police officer either with a police dog (i.e., as a police canine unit) or alone on eight dimensions: aggression, approachability, fairness, friendliness, intimidation, professionalism, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. Results: The analyses reveal that the officer was perceived more negatively when presented with a police dog than when presented alone. Conclusions: Police dogs play a multifaceted role in policing, including in crime control and public relations. In addition to their many functions, police canine units can also elicit many perceptual effects.