International Police Work Dog Association Certification Rules
Search and Rescue
 

The following test rules have been adopted by the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA). Each of the following tests are designed to determine the proficiency of the work dog team for certification in each phase of police work for K-9s. Whenever practical, a police work dog team graduating from an accredited training school should be tested and accredited. The successful passing of certification standards can be submitted in court. Each test is based on a pass/fail basis.

A. Judges. Master Trainers will act as judges for these tests

Judges will designate the area, phase and manner of each phase to be tested. The judge should make every effort not to interfere with or distract the dog. The judge will observe the work dog during each test for willingness, enjoyment, interest and accuracy. Handlers will be observed for ability and overall control of his/her dog. Upon successful completion of each test the credentials of accreditation will be issued.  Accreditation will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue, (Except explosive detector teams, whose accreditation will only be valid for one (1) year.)

B. Prohibited Equipment. At no time during any of the offered certification tests will whips of any type be used. Pinch collars and electronic collars may be worn by the canine during testing; however, collars of this style may not be activated during any certification phase.

C. Abuse of a K-9. During any IPWDA function, any trainer/Master Trainer who observes what they believe to be cruel and or abusive treatment of a K-9 will have the right to terminate the existing exercise. The team will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the function. The trainer/Master Trainer will inform the Executive Board of this incident and after a vote of the board, either the matter will be sent on to be handled by the grievance procedure or the team will be reinstated to complete whatever part of the function remains, if any.

D. Appeal. A work dog team that fails any of the following tests may reapply for testing at the next and most convenient time and date.

Any member that fails a test and feels that they have been judged unfairly will at the time of the test, notify the judge of his/her appeal. The member will then file a complete report of their observations and the reasons they feel they were judged unfairly. The judge having been notified of the appeal will file a report of his/her observations, all testing sheets, and his basis for failing the team.

All reports will be filed within thirty (30) days of the test to the President of the IPWDA. The President will then appoint an appeals committee. Reports or copies thereof will be forwarded to the appeals committee. Findings of the committee will be returned to the President and in turn he will forward a copy of the findings to the member and the Master Trainer. The decision of the appeals committee must be by a majority vote and it will be final.

E. Membership. Work dog teams wishing to be certified under these rules and by this Association must be members in good standing.

1. Police work dog teams wishing to be tested and certified under these rules and by this Association, must be regular members of this Association.

2. Associate members can be tested and certified under these rules in the following phases:
    a. Obedience
    b. Tracking
    c. Area search
    d. Article search
    e. Agility
    f. Search and rescue
    g. Explosives - Phase One

F. Certification Validity. An IPWDA Certification of a regular member canine team will only be valid when the canine team is being utilized by:

    1. The law enforcement agency they are employed by.

    2. A law enforcement agency they are on official assignment to by authority of their own law enforcement agency employer, (i.e., county, state, federal task force)

    3. A law enforcement agency which requested and received official mutual aid from the canine team's law enforcement agency employer
NOTE: Under no circumstances will an IPWDA canine team's certification be valid when the team is being utilized for any and all non law enforcement agency uses.
Under no circumstances will any member canine team's certification be valid either regular or associate member, if their membership status is not in good standing.

G. Certification Fees. There will be no charge for certifications. Master Trainers may be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, or be given a reasonable stipend to cover travel related expenses.
 

H.  Master Trainers may not perform the first IPWDA certification for dogs that they have sold.

 

 

 

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEST

(From the International Police Work Dog Association Search and Rescue Dog Standards Manual. October, 2005) 

STANDARDS AND EVALUATION PROCESS
This certification is open to both regular and associate members. Certifications are valid for two years.


PREREQUISITES
Recognizing that search work is an exhausting experience for both dog, and handler, the following prerequisites are required in order to test:
1. The canine must be, at the time of certification testing, 18 months of age.
2. The canine must be in good health and proof of vaccinations provided at the time of testing unless written waiver is secured from   handler’s veterinarian.
3. The canine must be of sound physical structure and temperament.
4. The canine must be of adequate strength and size to negotiate the terrain.
5. The canine must be friendly and well mannered.
6. The canine and handler must pass the SAR OBEDIENCE CONTROL EVALUATION prior to testing in any discipline. **
7. The handler must produce written training records in the discipline that they are testing.
8. The handler, at the time of certification testing, should be in good health and of sound physical structure.
9. The handler must produce proof of certification in basic First Aid or “higher” medical training.
10. The handler must produce proof of certification in CPR.
11. The handler must produce written documentation of land navigation/orienteering training.
12. The handler must pass written testing with a score of 80% in the area in which they will certify.
** This does not apply to a canine testing in on-lead trailing only.

 

SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG OBEDIENCE CONTROL EVALUATION

The purpose of this testing is to ensure that the canine handler has reasonable control of their canine to perform search and rescue functions.
The canine and handler must pass this evaluation prior to testing in any search area.**
The canine must perform the following to the satisfaction of the master trainer:
1. The canine will walk on a loose lead with the handler.
2. The canine will sit on command.
3. The canine will lay down on command.
4. The canine will perform a down-stay for a period of five minutes with the handler in sight but holding a conversation with another person 20 feet away. (Off Lead)
5. The canine will come when called from the down-stay. (Off Lead)
6. The canine will load into a vehicle on command. (Off Lead)
7. The canine will allow a stranger to take the canine from the handler, on-lead, and load the canine into its vehicle.
8. The canine will walk over a  2” x 12” x 8’ board suspended between two 2’ x 2’ platforms at least 24”  but no more than 36” off the ground without falling. (Off Lead)
** Not Applicable to on lead trailing dogs.

SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG DISCIPLINE TESTING

A. Trailing Criteria-
1. Given a scent article, the canine/handler team will approach the point last seen in an area that has been contaminated by a two man hasty team and establish a direction of travel of the trail layer. The team must follow that scent trail for a distance of at least one mile and no longer than one and one half miles, thru moderate to difficult terrain, crossing at least one road, and crossing at least one water hazard. The trail will have at least seven changes of direction (turns).  The team must locate the trail layer in a reasonable amount of time exhibiting handler strategy and search skills.  The age of the trail will be no less than four hours old and no longer than twelve hours and will be set up at the discretion of the master trainer based on climatic conditions.
2. The handler will be given a roadway or trail a distance of one quarter of a mile and will be required to search that roadway or trail for the trail of a victim. The victim will be positioned 25 feet to the right or left of the roadway or trail. The dog and handler must locate the victim within a reasonable time.
3. The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.
4. The handler must complete the SAR 111 form. In the event the handler has an appropriate internal report form, the handler may complete that report form instead of the SAR 111.

B. Basic Air Scent Criteria-
1. Be able to search an area of 40 acres in moderate to difficult terrain and locate at least one but no more than two subjects who have been in place at least one hour prior to the beginning of the testing.
2. The canine must have an alert behavior indicating to the handler and evaluator that it has located the victim. This behavior should be described to the evaluator prior to beginning the test.
3. The canine must locate the victim(s) within two hours.
4. The handler must advise the evaluator of the search strategy employed and should change strategy as needed during the test.
5. The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.
6. The handler must complete the SAR 111 form.  In the event the handler has an appropriate internal report form, the handler may complete that report form instead of the SAR 111.

C. Advanced Air Scent Criteria-
1. Be able to search an area of 160 acres in moderate to difficult terrain and locate multiple victims (a minimum of two with a maximum of three) that have been placed at least one hour prior to the beginning of testing.
2. The canine must have an alert behavior indicating to the handler and evaluator that it has located the victim. This behavior should be described to the evaluator prior to the beginning of the test.
3. The canine must locate the victim(s) within 6 hours.
4. The handler must advise the evaluator of the search strategy employed and should change strategy as needed during the test.
5. The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.
6. The handler must complete the SAR 111 form. In the event the handler has an appropriate internal report form, the handler may complete that report form instead of the SAR 111.

D. Basic Land Cadaver Criteria-
1. The search will be conducted in a minimum size area of one hundred by one hundred yards containing moderate vegetation.
2. The training aids shall consist of legally obtained cadaver training material.
3. The training aids shall be placed in the test area a minimum of one hour prior to the beginning of testing.
4. The training aid(s) shall be either above ground no higher than six feet, on the surface, or buried no deeper than 12 inches below the soil surface.
5. There shall be a minimum of one and a maximum of two training aids used. If two aids are used, one shall be above surface.
6. Above ground sources shall be concealed so as not to be visible to the dog or handler. The burial site shall be camouflaged so visible ground disturbance is minimal. There shall be a minimum of three holes dug to ensure the dog does not alert on earth disturbance. Animal remains may be on the surface to act as a distraction.
7. The dog must locate all aids placed for testing.
8. The handler must advise the evaluator the dog’s alert.
9. The handler must articulate the search strategy to the evaluator.
10. The handler must recognize the canine’s alert and advise the evaluator when the source has been located.
11. The team must locate ALL aids placed for testing.
12. The team automatically fails if the handler calls an alert on the animal remains.
13. The handler must complete the Cadaver Search Report.

E. Advanced Land Cadaver Criteria –
The test will be four evolutions that are scenario based. The dog must successfully locate the scent source in each search area that contains source material.
The test will be an on land disarticulated remains evaluation, buried evaluation, and hanging evaluation. There will be one negative area. The negative area will be consistent in size with other search areas.

LAND TEST:
1. The handler will advise the evaluator what their canine’s trained alert behavior is.
2. The dog must offer the trained alert behavior at the scent source.
3. The Evaluator will provide the legally obtained scent material in a proper container.
4. The handler will be given an area of woods approximately one acre in size to search.
5. The handler must develop a search plan and advise the evaluator how they intend to search the area.
6. The handler may deviate from their original plan.
7. The scent material will be placed in the search area on the ground but camouflaged by downfall material.
8. The material should be placed four hours prior to search.
9. The search area will be contaminated with human scent to prevent the canine from trailing to the scent source.
10. Once the search has begun, the canine is expected to stay in the search area. In order to search borders, the canine may travel up to 10 yards past the border area.
11. The handler should utilize a search pattern described to the evaluator in the search plan.
12. The canine may not locate the material and then leave the material to continue searching. This constitutes a failure.
13. Once the material is located by the canine, the canine should offer its trained alert behavior. This alert is at the discretion of the handler. The dog may be rewarded.
14. The handler should finish searching the area after locating the scent source.
15. The handler has thirty minutes to complete this exercise.
16. The number of hides is at the discretion of the evaluator.
 
BURIED TEST:
1. The handler will advise the evaluator what their canine’s trained alert behavior is.
2. The dog must offer the trained alert behavior at the scent source.
3. The Evaluator will provide the legally obtained scent material in a proper container.
4. The handler will be given an area of open field or light woods approximately 50 yards by 50 yards to search.
5. The handler must develop a search plan and advise the evaluator how they intend to search the area.
6. The handler may deviate from their original plan.
7. The scent material will be placed at least four hours prior to the search, buried at least six inches but not more than 24 inches.
8. There will be four other blank holes dug in the search area, taking care that they don’t become contaminated with cadaver scent.
9. If the canine offers his trained behavior on a blank hole, it is a failure.
10. The search area will be contaminated with human scent to prevent the canine from trailing to the scent source.
11. Once the search has begun, the canine is expected to stay in the search area. In order to search borders, the canine may travel up to 10 yards past the border area.
12. The canine may not locate the material and then leave the material to continue searching. This constitutes a failure.
13. Once the canine has located the scent material, he should offer his trained alert behavior. This behavior is at the discretion of the handler. The dog may be rewarded.
14. The handler should finish searching the area after locating the scent source.
15. The handler has 30 minutes to complete this test.
16. The number of hides is at the discretion of the evaluator.

HANGING TEST:
1. The handler will advise the evaluator what their canine’s trained alert behavior is.
2. The dog must offer the trained alert behavior in the scent pool of the scent source.
3. The Evaluator provides the legally obtained scent material in a proper container.
4. The handler will be given an area of woods, approximately one acre to search.
5. The handler must develop a search plan and advise the evaluator how they intend to search the area.
6. The handler may deviate from their original plan.
7. The scent material will be placed at least four hours prior to the search, at least six feet high.
8. There may be dead animal remains, or other distracters in the search area.
9. If the canine offers his trained behavior on the animal remains, it is a failure.
10. The search area will be contaminated with human scent to prevent the canine from trailing to the scent source.
11. Once the search has begun, the canine is expected to stay in the search area. In order to search borders, the canine may travel up to 10 yards past the border area.
12. The canine may not locate the material and then leave the material to continue searching. This constitutes a failure. The canine will have to work a scent pool. Working in and out of the scent pool does not constitute a failure. Pinpointing the scent and then leaving it constitutes a failure.
13. Once the canine has located the scent material or worked as close in the scent pool as he can get to the scent material, he should offer his trained alert behavior.
14. The handler should finish searching the area after locating the scent source.
15. The handler has 30 minutes to complete this test.
16. There will only be one hanging hide.

The handler must successfully complete each phase of testing locating all aids and offering no false alerts on distractions. The handler must complete the Cadaver Search Report at the end of testing.

F. Underwater Detection Criteria-

1. A shoreline test shall be conducted in an area not less than 50 feet by 12 feet and not more than 150 feet by 12 feet along the shore of a river or creek with moving water.
2. The evaluator will provide legally obtained cadaver training material or simulated cadaver chemical for testing.
3. The handler will advise the evaluator what the canine’s trained alert behavior is.
4. The canine must offer the trained alert behavior and the handler will mark the location of the alert with flagging tape perpendicular to the area on shore.
5. The canine should alert within 10 feet down current of the source. However, the evaluator may add distance compensating for wind and current speed.
6. An open water test shall be conducted on a lake in an area not less than 250 square feet. The depth of the aid will be determined by the evaluator but in no instance shall be below the thermocline.
7. The handler will advise the evaluator what the canine’s trained alert behavior on a water craft is.
8. The canine must offer that trained alert behavior and the handler will mark the location of the alert with a floating buoy.
9. The watercraft will be a rescue type boat, stable and utilized primarily for water rescue. (Jon, Boston Whaler, Zodiac)
10. The distance between the buoy and source material should be no greater than 20 feet. However, the evaluator may add distance compensating for wind.

G. Urban Search and Rescue Disaster Criteria –

Handler
1. Must have the appropriate PPE for conducting rubble/collapsed structure searches.
2. Must be in excellent physical condition and be capable of searching for extended periods of time.
3. Provide proof of completion of a Haz Mat and Bloodborne Pathogens classes.
4. Emergency First Aid for Working Canines (proof of class attendance)
5. Decontamination Procedures for Canines (proof of class attendance)
6. Provide proof of completion of ICS - 200 (FEMA on-line course) or equivalent.
7. Possess FEMA Marking Systems Card During Testing
 

Canine/Handler Performance Standards

GROUND RULES
·1 No training aids (balls, food, toys etc) (exception – collapsed structure and building search)
·2 No collars in agility or rubble pile/collapsed structure.
·3 No prong, choke or electronic collars.
·4 No food in testing area.
·5 Handler must maintain continual control of the canine.
·6 Handler is responsible for care and safety of the canine at all times.
·7 Safety gear and procedures should be addressed continually.
·8 Aggression will not be tolerated at any time during the test.
 

ALERT TESTING: THE BARK ALERT or REFIND

This is a five-minute exercise.

The handler will remove all collars from the dog. The starting point will be 25 yards from the bark box or barrel. The handler sends the dog to the bark box or barrel through a voice command or a hand signal. Additional commands may be used to direct the dog to the box or barrel. The handler must stay at the starting position.

Once the canine has indicated on the scent of the victim, the handler may not talk or signal the dog in any way. Once the scent is indicated, the dog must remain focused and demonstrate an independent alert. Once the canine starts to bark, he must sustain that bark for a period of 30 seconds.  If the dog is a refind dog, the dog must return to the handler, offer a trained alert behavior, and then take the handler back to the barrel or box.

There will be two timers. One will begin at the start of the five-minute exercise. The other will begin timing at the first bark of the canine.

When the exercise is over, the handler will secure his dog and praise him and leave the area.

The dog must sustain a 30-second bark alert and complete the exercise within five minutes.
 
AGILITY TESTING

This is a five-minute exercise.

The handler will remove the dog’s collar.

The dog must successfully negotiate each obstacle on the course. The dog is only allowed three attempts at each obstacle. The handler may encourage the dog but cannot physically assist the dog. The following obstacles are mandatory:  (See Addendum)
·1 6 foot ladder with flat rungs secured at a 45 degree angle
·2 Moving plank suspended on two barrels
·3 3 foot high unsteady, wobbly surface.
·4 A dark tunnel with one right turn
·5 A seesaw
·6 A plank elevated 6 feet off the ground
 
Canines should demonstrate control when negotiating the obstacles.

The handler/dog must have passed the above testing before being allowed to test on the following search scenarios.
 
DISASTER SEARCH FIELD TESTING

The disaster search field testing is made up of three separate searches. The handler and dog must successfully complete all three types in order to pass.
 
Rubble Pile Search
The pile should be at least 2000 square feet area and an average height of ten feet.
This area will be contaminated with distractions:
·1 People, smoke, dead animals
·2 Food
·3 Running machinery, generators, rescue tools
 
One victim will be placed at least 20 minutes before the testing. The team will be allowed five minutes to conduct the interview. The handler will remove the collar from the dog and direct the dog to search. He will have ten minutes to locate the victim. The dog must indicate on the location of the victim with a sustained bark alert or refind. The handler may not access the rubble pile. When the handler hears the dog barking identifying live human scent or the dog returns to the handler and alerts, he shall notify the evaluator of the alert. The evaluator will then instruct the handler to access the pile. The handler must identify the location of the alert. He may verbally encourage or praise his dog. The handler will then be instructed to leave the pile with his dog.
The handler must sketch the pile and indicate on the sketch the alert location.
 
Collapsed Structures Search
The search area will include at least five structures, i.e. mobile homes, buildings, or junkyard. The dog and handler will have thirty minutes to clear all five structures or in the case of a junkyard, five separate searches on at least 25 cars per search. There will be at least two and no more than three victims placed at least twenty minutes prior to the start of the testing.

The team will be allowed five minutes to conduct the interview. The handler must communicate his search plan to the evaluator. The evaluator will advise the handler when to begin. The handler will start his dog. The dog must clear all five structures. The dog must indicate on the victim by giving a sustained bark alert or refind. When the handler hears the dog barking identifying live human scent or the dog returns to the handler and alerts, he must notify the evaluator. The evaluator will instruct the handler he may access the structure. The handler must identify the area of the alert. The handler may praise and reward his canine and then should move on to the next structure. This process shall continue until the five structures are cleared. The handler may break his canine during this process.
 
Building Search
This search will be conducted in low light conditions.

One victim will be placed in a large building, multi floored, at least twenty minutes prior to the beginning of testing. The handler and dog will have five minutes to locate the victim. The dog must indicate on the location of the victim by a sustained bark alert or refind. When the handler hears the dog barking identifying live human scent or the dog returns to the handler and alerts, he must notify the evaluator. The handle may enter the building and direct the search. The handler must identify the location of the alert. The handler may praise and reward his canine. Distractions may be used during this search.
 

DISASTER LAND RESPONSE TEST

 

Two searches shall be conducted on two different dates and both must be passed in order to receive certification.

 

Search One:

1. Be able to search an area of 40 acres during the hours of darkness in moderate to difficult terrain and locate one but no more than two subjects who have been in place at least an hour prior to the beginning of testing.

2. The canine must have an alert behavior indicating to the handler and evaluator that it has located the victim. This behavior should be described to the evaluator prior to the beginning of the test.

3. The canine must locate the victim(s) within 4 hours.

4. The handler must advise the evaluator of the search strategy employed and should change strategy as needed during the test.

5. The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.

6. The Handler must complete the SAR 111 form. In the event the handler has an appropriate internal report from, the handler may complete that report form instead of the SAR 111.

 

Search Two:

 

1.  Be able to search an area of 80 acres during the hours of daylight in moderate to difficult terrain, which might include but are not limited to debris piles, abandoned structures, junk yards, etc. and locate multiple victims (a minimum of two and a maximum of three) that have been placed at least one hour prior to the beginning of testing.

2.  Victims shall be placed in areas that simulate searching in environments caused by a hurricane, tornado, or other natural or man-made disaster.

3.  The canine must have an alert behavior indicating to the handler and evaluator that it has located the victim(s). This behavior should be described to the evaluator prior to the beginning of the test.

4.  The canine must locate the victim(s) within 6 hours.

5.  The handler must advise the evaluator of the search strategy employed and should change strategy as needed during the test.

6.  The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.

7.  The handler must complete the SAR 111 form. In the event the handler has an appropriate internal report form, the handler may complete that report form instead of the SAR 111.

 

 

 

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