DOGS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

“COMMITTED TO THE WORKING DOG TEAM”

Certification Rules

The following certification rules have been adopted by Dogs for Law Enforcement.

  1. Each of the following tests is designed to determine the proficiency of the canine team for certification in each phase of police or security work for canines.
  2. Whenever practical, a police or security canine team graduating from an accredited training school should be tested and accredited.
  3. Associate Members must possess and present a current copy of their DEA and/or ATF license(s), along with the Security Licensing required by their state, when certifying. These licenses will be kept on file with DLE and is the responsibility of the certifying member to ensure DLE has current and updated records.
  4. The successful passing and accreditation of these courses is usually acceptable testimony in court.
  5. Each certification is based on a pass/fail basis.
  6. All rulings by Master Trainers are final.
  7. Master Trainers and handlers should review these rules in their entirety.
  8. These certifications will be valid for one (1) year from the date of issue upon successful completion.
  9. During any certification test, unwarranted aggression is grounds for failure.
  10. There will be no fee charged to DLE members for certification testing.
  11. A fee may be imposed to cover expenses of travel, lodging and meals only, if necessary.
  12. There will be no fee imposed for recertification on any phase which is failed.
  13. The team being tested must pass each phase of each certification no matter what order or combination they are tested in.
  14. Any certified canine team, Law Enforcement or Security, used outside their regular scope of employment or if their licensing has expired, certifications will be null and void.
  15. The Master Trainer will determine if the team will be certified upon the completion of the test.
  16. The handler and dog will be considered as a team and it is the team who will be certified.
  17. If the dog changes handlers, a new team exists and the new team will need to be certified.
  18. All phases will be done under direction of the Master Trainer.
  19. If cruel or abusive corrections or treatments are observed during tests the Master Trainer will stop the testing immediately, note same and forward to DLE Headquarters for file information.
  20. A canine team that fails any of the tests may reapply for testing at the next and most convenient date.

Master Trainers:

  1. Master Trainers will act as Evaluators for these tests.
  2. Master Trainers will designate the area, phase, and manner of each phase to be tested.
  3. The Master Trainer will determine the order of test areas.
  4. The Master Trainer shall make every effort not to interfere with or distract the dog.
  5. The Master Trainer shall make every effort to adhere to department standards when testing.
  6. Master Trainer will determine if the obedience test is appropriate for certain types of dog breeds.
  7. A Master Trainer may decline to certify any team at his or her discretion and will explain their reason for declining to the handler.
  8. The Master Trainer will observe the working dog during each certification for willingness, enjoyment, interest and accuracy.
  9. The final decision as to the length of the testing period shall rest with the Master Trainer conducting the certification.
  10. The Master Trainer will accompany the team to observe the entire test, as could happen when a backup officer or superior officer would accompany the canine team during an actual search.
  11. The Master Trainer will outline the areas to be searched for all tests.
  12. When it is obvious to the Master Trainer that the dog is not searching for the decoy or odor, the Master Trainer will inform the handler of the failure for this test.
  13. The Master Trainer will place the narcotics or explosive odor aids in locations unknown to the team. Hides may be high or low.
  14. The selection and quantity of narcotics used in the Odor Recognition Test are left up to the discretion of the Master Trainer.
  15. Master Trainers will use no less than ½ lb. of explosive odor in the Practical test and no less than a ¼ lb. in the Odor Recognition test.
  16. In the Odor Recognition Test, if the Master Trainer tests in an open area or building, then that test can be used to replace open area or buildings in the mandatory areas.
  17. If a canine team is trained to department standard the Master Trainer will adhere to those standards so as not to interfere with those departments.
  18. The Master Trainer will use discretion in placing explosive aids in a location that may expose the canine team to the risk of falling overboard or being injured by deck equipment. On smaller watercraft, personal flotation jackets should be utilized.
  19. On an aircraft the Master Trainer will use a “Barrier” object such as a towel, paper towel, cardboard, etc., to prevent the explosive aid from spilling and to prevent residue contamination.
  20. A double-blind testing for a certification of an odor detection dog may be conducted by a Master Trainer or requested by a DLE member.
  21. At any time, the Master Trainer can appoint or a DLE member can request to conduct pieces of the certification under a Master Trainer’s supervision, as a way to perform random audits on DLE members by using a DLE audit sheet.
  22. If a DLE member is also a member of another organization, the DLE Master Trainer can observe the other organizations certification and if all their requirements meet DLE requirements then the DLE Master Trainer can issue a DLE certification.
  1. If any part of other organization certification does not meet DLE’s certification then the DLE Master Trainer shall perform DLE’s certification.
  2. It is the Master Trainers responsibility to ensure that all Test/Audit Sheets are submitted to the DLEcertification board within 60 days from the date of certification. If Test/Audit sheets are not submitted to the DLEcertification board within 60 days of the date of certification, the board cannot validate certification.

Handler:

  1. The safety of the detection dog will be the sole responsibility of the handler during the narcotics test, (such as overdose)
  2. The "reward toy or object" used during a narcotic or explosives certification test, to reward the dog upon finding a hide, will not contain any narcotics, narcotic odor/residue, explosive odor or explosive odor residue.
  3. Handlers undergoing testing will not be allowed to observe other canine teams during the testing procedure.
  4. Conversation between tested and untested handlers will not be allowed.
  5. If the handler opens any closed doors, cabinet’s desk drawers, etc. during testing then the team will automatically fail the test.
  6. Each handler will brief the Master Trainer as to the particular dog’s alert and response to the explosive aids, narcotics aids and contraband odor.
  7. It is the responsibility of each handler to brief the Master Trainer on which narcotics, explosive or contraband odors they are testing on.
  8. It is the responsibility of each handler to brief the Master Trainer to their department standards, if different than DLE’s.
  9. A break between tests will be allowed, if requested by handlers.
  10. The Handler will inform the Master Trainer what the dog’s final response is prior to starting any test.
  11. The Handler may enter the search area and direct the search as he/she would in an actual situation.
  12. This certification may be done off leash.
  13. The handler may accompany the dog throughout the test, and may encourage his/her dog with commands and praise as needed.
  14. The dog will be tested on the final response to for each search and must be obvious to the Master Trainer.
  15. The dog must make three (3) out of four (4) finds with a final response in order to pass this article test. The canine must alert the handler to the items with an acceptable alert,such as, but not limited to, downing, sitting, or standing next to the items to be retrieved.
  16. A double-blind testing for a certification of an odor detection dog may be conducted by a Master Trainer or requested by a DLE member.
  17. Failure of this certification may be based on lack of handler control or disinterest on the part of the dog.
  18. The canine team shall be allowed to use any and all equipment they would normally wear while on duty.
  19. In no case will the handler open any doors that are closed within his/her search area unless otherwise instructed by a Master Trainer.
  20. Rooms with open doors should be searched thoroughly.
  21. The dog’s final response of the location of the decoy must be obvious to the Master Trainer.
  22. The handler will inform the Master Trainer of the decoys’ location.
  23. At any time, a DLE member or a Master Trainer can request to conduct pieces of the DLE certification under a Master Trainer’s supervision, as a way to perform random audits on DLE members using a DLE audit sheet.
  24. If a DLE member is also a member of another organization, the DLE Master Trainer can observe the other organizations certification and if all their requirements meet DLE requirements then the DLE Master Trainer can issue a DLE certification.
  25. If any part of other organization certification does not meet DLE’s certification then the DLE Master Trainer shall perform DLE’s certification.

Certain Equipment Prohibited:

  1. At no time during any of the certification tests will sticks or whips of any type be used.
  2. All equipment utilized or worn by canine during normal tour of duty shall be permitted.
  3. Collars include choke, pinch or electronic, and may be used as long as it is proven to be properly worn, to the Master Trainer at the time of certification.
  4. No electronic collar will be permitted to be worn during Explosive Detection Certification or training regardless if it is active or inactive.

Membership:

  1. Regular Members and Associate Members can be tested and certified under these rules in all areas.
  2. Associate Members will receive a Security Working Dog Certification Certificate from the DLE Secretary,which is designed specifically for Associate Members who successfully complete certification in any of the tests.
  3. Certification fees for non-members wanting to be certified by DLEcertification will be a minimum of DLEcertification's membership fee and travel expenses for such certification will be at the Master Trainers discretion.

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