International Police Work Dog Association
Explosives Detection Certification Rules
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.
Odor Recognition- Phase One (Password Protected)
The International Police Work Dog Association
(Phase Two) Operational Explosive Detection Test
(Operational Testing)
This test will determine the proficiency and reliability of dogs in the
detection of explosives in an operational certification.
The Test:
1. For the operational test the Team Cannot Miss Any Training Aids.
2. All testing will be done on a Pass/Fail basis.
3. If the team fails in one (1) test area, “Only That Area Failed In Needs To Be
Re-tested” at a later time.
4. It is recommended that testing be done over a two (2) day period or more.
However this is only a recommendation and the final decision shall rest with the
Master Trainer.
5. All aids will be placed at least thirty (30) minutes prior to testing.
6. No detonating devices will ever be placed with the aids or used in testing.
If an aid has to be moved to a new location, the previously used area must be
removed as a testing sight.
7. A “Master Trainer Accredited in Explosive Detection” will do all testing.
8. Prior to the first detection team entering the test area, a man and a K-9
will be walked through the testing area.
9. Each handler shall brief the Master Trainer as to the dogs alert and response
to an aid prior to testing.
10. Each indication to an aid by the canine should be obvious to the Master
Trainer.
11. The Master Trainer shall prior to each phase, explain each problem that will
be encountered by the handler such as boundaries, time, starting point, etc…
The Purpose:
1. The purpose of the testing is to observe the team’s ability to locate a
hidden explosive. It should be noted that all aids might not be pinpointed to
source due to the height, wind currents or placement of the aid.
2. The Master Trainer should exercise reasonable judgment and the handler for
consideration should note all changes of behavior
3. Any aggression towards a placed training aid (Bite, Bark or Scratch) can be
used to disqualify the testing team.
4. Each certification shall be Valid for a one (1) year period from the date of
issue.
It should be noted that normal training and retraining must be conducted to
maintain and enhance the team’s capability.
5. All aids used in testing should be of recent manufacture and in separate
containers.
It shall be the responsibility of the agency being tested to provide the testing
aids. Strict safety measures shall be upheld during testing. No smoking will be
allowed in test areas.
6. Odors Tested on
All canines must be tested on all basic odors.
The basic odors are:
A. Powders (Black or Smokeless)
B. Commercial Dynamites
C. C4 or Flex-X/Data Sheet (RDX)
D. TNT or Military Dynamite
E. Primer Cord (PETN)
F. Slurries (Water-Gel)
7. The maximum weight of the explosive used shall be unlimited; however, a
minimum weight of a half (1/2) pound shall be used for testing.
8. The term “Aid” shall mean an explosive substance.
9. Each area tested will contain a Minimum of two (2) and a Maximum of four (4)
aids with each aid being a different explosive.
10. The handler will not be told the number or type of explosives they are
searching for.
Areas Tested In:
Six (6) areas will be provided for testing. The canine team will be tested in
four (4) of the six areas. The areas will be picked by availability.
The six areas to be tested in are:
1. Buildings
2. Vehicles
3. Open Area
4. Aircraft
5. Baggage
6. Mass Transit Vehicle
Building Search: The building search will consist of a minimum (4) of four rooms
and a maximum of six (6) rooms. Each room will be at least 400 square feet and
have some type of furniture in it. Only one (1) aid may be placed in one room.
One or more rooms should contain no aid; One aid must be placed high. The aid
may be placed anywhere from 8 feet to ground level. The aids will be placed so
the canine can not retrieve it. The handler may not open cabinet doors, desk
drawers, closet doors, etc.
Vehicle Search: Eight (8) vehicles minimum with a maximum sixteen (16) of any
type or model may be used. The vehicles will be parked in a park configuration
so as to allow the team to have access to each vehicle. The aids will be placed
so the canine cannot retrieve it. Only one (1) aid may be placed on or in one
vehicle. All detection will be done from outside the vehicle. One (1) aid will
be placed inside a closed engine compartment. Additional aids must be placed at
the discretion of the Master Trainer and may be placed, but not limited to:
1.The exterior of the gas tank or filler pipe.
2.Drive shaft
3.Interior of closed trunk
4.Passenger compartment (Closed)
5.Under siding and outer body
Open Area Search: Open area to be no larger then 1,000 yards and no smaller then
50 X 50 yards or any configuration there of. Aids will be placed at the
discretion of the Master Trainer and can be placed anywhere from a minimum of 1
foot below the surface level to a maximum of 8 feet above surface level.
An open area may be defined as:
1. Exterior of buildings
2. Open Fields
3. Wooded Area
4. Any area outside not covered
Aircraft Search: Common sense shall rule as to the size of aircraft to be used.
This will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer. Availability will be the
ruling factor in the testing. The entire search shall include the interior and
exterior of the aircraft along with all ground support equipment. One (1) aid
must be placed inside of the aircraft. Additional aids will be placed outside at
the discretion of the Master Trainer. This can be either inside the aircraft or
outside. This testing phase is not limited to just one (1) aid inside the
aircraft. All aids will be placed so the canine cannot retrieve them. TSA rules
relating to contamination will be strictly adhered to regarding the placement of
aids inside any aircraft.
Baggage Search: Baggage shall be defined as hard and soft-shell suitcases,
attaché’s case, clothing bags, brief cases, golf bags, sea bags, duffel bags,
etc..
Fifteen (15) bags minimum with a maximum of twenty-five (25) bags may be used.
(Bags should contain some type of clothing of filler materials). All aids will
be placed inside the bags in a manner so the canine cannot retrieve it. Bags may
be placed in two to three rows with enough space between each bag to allow the
canine to search.
Mass Transit Vehicles: The Master Trainer based on availability will select the
mass transit vehicles. Consideration may be given to the types of mass transit
vehicles typically encountered by the handlers. These vehicles may include
buses, trains, watercraft and etc. Training aids will be placed so that the
canines cannot retrieve them. The Master Trainer will determine the number and
placement of aids and blank areas.