Narcotic Dog Certification Rules and Guidelines
PACIFIC NORTHWEST POLICE DETECTION DOG ASSOCIATION
Narcotic Detection Certification
Any Narcotic Detection Canine team which receives certification from said Association is evidence that the team has satisfactorily met and passed all applicable standards as set below. Certification by Association certifies the canine team (dog and handler) and is valid for one calendar year from date of issue. The certification is non transferable. If the canine is assigned to a new handler then that team will have to be re-certified.
In our continuing process for evaluation of standards of training and certification. The association executive board has revised the certification standards for the detection dog team. This revision demonstrates our association is continuing to meet and exceed other certification standards that are currently in place throughout North America.
To ensure that the canine team is performing at a satisfactory level the certification process will evaluate the following areas:
- Does the canine recognize the odor of controlled substances for which it was trained for.
- Does the canine alert to the odor of controlled substances for which it was trained for.
- Does the handler recognize the canine’s alert.
Certifying Officials
Certifying officials will be any member so designated by the Association Board of Directors. The Association board of directors may, upon their review and discretion of an applicant’s qualifications, appoint said applicant as a certifying official.
To qualify as a certifying official one should have:
A) A minimum of ten years experience as a full time law enforcement officer and five years experience specifically as a narcotics detection canine trainer.
Or
B) A full time law enforcement officer who as a Narcotics Detection dog handler has completed a formalized course by a recognized narcotics detection dog trainer and has at least 2 years experience handling a narcotics detection dog and completed 200 hours as assistant in training, under the direction of a recognized narcotics detection dog trainer.
And
C) Completed an 8 hour Association certifying official’s course.
D) Supplied to the association board of Directors all relevant documents necessary to satisfy the minimum requirements of being an Association certifying official.
Controlled Substances
All controlled substances utilized during a certification shall have been tested by a local, state or federal laboratory for authenticity. Only actual narcotics (controlled substances) will be used during the certification process.
Controlled substances ( aids) utilized will include: Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine.
Training aids from each category will be utilized during certification.
Controlled substances used during certification shall be a minimum of 14 grams.
Each search area will have Zero (O) to 2 training aids utilized during certification. These will be placed at the discretion of the certifying official. With one search area being blank.
All training aids shall be placed in the training areas no less than thirty minutes prior to canine team inspection.
A verification of odor will be conducted prior to application of the first canine team.
SEARCH AREAS
To effectively evaluate the dog detection team the certification process will include the following areas;
a) Building
Should be of a size that is regularly encountered by canine teams. Individual room size can vary but should not exceed 1200 sq. ft. Three rooms will be utilized.
b) Vehicles
A minimum of three vehicles shall be used. Vehicle training aids may be hidden as either exterior or interior at the discretion of the certifying official.
c) Packages and luggage
Six pieces will be utilized. The actual physical locations and environment will be at the sole discretion of the certifying official.
d) Distraction aids
Distraction aids can be utilized during the certification process but will not be placed in close proximity to actual controlled substance training aids.
Time of Search
Time of search for each area will not exceed 7 minutes.
( i.e. 3 vehicles 7 minutes total time .)
( luggage search 7 minutes total time )
( i.e. 3 rooms, 7 minutes each room )
Complaints
It is the responsibility of each handler to have any questions clarified about the certification prior to deployment of the dog on the search exercise.
Any complaints about the certification process or conduct by a certifying official or Association member shall be set in writing and forwarded to the Association board of directors within ten days of the incident.
Certifying officials are not required to explain their evaluation and will not enter into a discussion with any persons disputing an evaluation process.
Costs/Fees:
If certification is requested outside designated Association training, the requesting agency shall pay in advance and be responsible for all necessary incurred travel, meal, lodging or other related expenses for the certifying official.
Each canine detection team who successfully passes certification shall, within 30 days of certification, receive a Letter of Certification from the Association. The association will retain a copy of the Letter of Certification for each dog team.
Any person wishing to certify additional canines will be assessed a twenty five dollar fee per dog.
Certification Records:
All records are the sole property of the Association and are non transferable unless otherwise specified.
Alerts:
It is the responsibility of each handler to advise the certifying official as to the type of alert/indication the canine exhibits. (Passive/Aggressive). The handler must verbally state “alert” to the certifying official and identify the location of the alert or the alert/indication will not be acknowledged.
Rewards:
No narcotic scented rewards will be allowed utilized during certification exercises.
Members:
All Regular or Associate member in good standing, who otherwise qualifies reference other rules and regulations contained within Association bylaw, shall be deemed qualified to attempt Association certification.
Passing Certification Standards
In order for a detection team to complete certification the team must successfully complete the search for those substances for which the dog is trained, to include but not limited to; Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine.
The canine team shall locate / indicate on ALL (100%) of the hidden controlled substance training aids.
If during the certification a handler calls an “alert” by the canine where there are no training aids hidden this will be considered a “false response” or “non productive alert” by the detection team. Any “non productive alerts” called by the handler will result in certification failure.
Certification Failure: Any detection team that fails to locate / indicate on one aid during the certification may be tested again the same day; IF in the opinion of the Certifying Official that the miss is entirely handler error and requires no additional training of the Canine.
A detection team which fails to qualify for certification may reschedule another certification at a later date.
All decisions by the certifying officials at the time of certification are final and do not carry an appeal process.
RULES OF CONDUCT
Every handler will be responsible for any damage inflicted by the detection team canine, to training area, persons or other canines.
Electric, Prong collars are not permitted.
Handlers who have completed certification shall refrain from any contact with handlers who are awaiting certification.
It is the responsibility of the Association certifying official to implement the certification in a fair and impartial manner.
Only actual controlled substances will be used during Association certification.
An Association certifying official will explain certification rules to all handlers prior to the certification. A copy of the rules will be given to any handler upon request.
There will be no training, play or practice with canines in or around any certifying areas.
All handlers should attempt to have their dogs refrain from urinating in the certifying areas.
If in the opinion of the certifying official, a handler uses extreme or abusive treatment of a canine, displays loss of temper or poor sportsmanship, the certifying official will immediately disqualify that detection team. There will be no appeal process.
Rev 5/16/08