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I would like to thank my friend Kevin Scheldahl for sending me this
certification program. These certs are accurate as of 10-21-98 Kevin is a "PSP\DPO\WPO"
police dog judge and a K9 handler who lives and works in New Mexico.
General Information
Police Service Dog certification examinations should be administered only after
both dog and handler have completed a course of training which is designed for
the specific examination to be administered. Afterwards, to maintain
certification, the dog should be re-examined on an annual basis. This is to
assure performance quality-control over the career of the dog.
A government entity should be responsible, accountable, and liable for the
training and certification of Police Service Dogs and handlers. The skill level
of the dog being examined should be declared by competent and certified Police
Service Dog Judges, familiar with the individual certifications.
[This paragraph is specific to European Law Enforcement officers and is not
translated.]
A certification is an official police function. Accordingly, official uniforms
shall be worn by any handler presenting a dog for an examination. Handlers are
expected to display appropriate tactical skills during the course of the
examination. No leather collars shall be permitted during an examination.
In the event a handler or dog does not exhibit suitable skill during an
examination, no certification shall be issued at that time. The examination may
be re-taken within a reasonable time frame, to be established by the respective
judge or agency.
A certified handler or dog is not prohibited from participating in other types
of Dog trials, so long as the event carries significant benefit for the police
function. Handlers should exercise caution when determining whether or not to
participate in such trials. Handlers should seek competent input from their
administrators or other experienced handlers or trainers as to the degree of
benefit versus the risk.
In the interest of the equal treatment for certificants and objective
evaluations, the following should be ensured:
1. All exercises are administered on one day.
2. All simulated suspects are strangers to the dog.
3. All locations utilized in the exercises are foreign to the dog.
Each PSP1 examination shall begin with exercise #1 to establish gunsureness,
mental stability, and combat skill. Then the Patrol Dog Judge shall determine
the order in which the exercises will be administered. A dog which does not
defend its handler sufficiently or exhibits gun shyness shall not certify. A dog
should exhibit a "suitable" skill level in the obedience phase to
continue in the examination process.
The patrol dog handler and dog form an operational team, therefore, a dog is to
be examined with the respective handler it is to be deployed with. The dog may
be considered functional if it achieves a skill rating of "Suitable"
in each of the following individual behaviors.
1. Detaining a submissive person
2. Subduing a hostile or fleeing person
3. Releasing a person on command
4. Indicating the presence of a person and evidence
5. Handler skill
Certified Detector Dogs are permitted the option of substituting the last skill
rating for the scent work grade in this examination.Voice commands or hand
signals are permitted. Repeating a command or a signal is permitted only if it
is evident the dog did not hear or see it or if it is integral to the exercise.
The judge shall determine this situation.
Commands or signals other than those declared as official shall be considered
handler help. excessively loud commands are not allowed, nor are objects or food
or other such types of motivation. The dog is expected to respond to commands or
signals joyfully and quickly.
All exercises begin and end from the heel position. This is exemplified when the
handler stands upright with the dog sitting at the left or right side, depending
on the manner of training.
The handler shall present him/herself in a professional manner and is permitted
to ask clarification questions prior to the start of the examination.
The Patrol Dog Judge shall issue a weapon (pistol, knife, etc.) to the
perpetrator in at least one of the apprehension exercises. The weapon shall be
carried such that it can be discovered only by a careful frisk.
The Patrol Dog Judge shall determine the starting point for all exercises, not
the handler.
Definitions of Behavior
HEEL
The dog shall accompany the handler joyfully and attentively, keeping its
shoulder in line with the handler's torso. Forging or lagging, wide or crowding
behavior is faulty. Only at a change of pace may the handler issue an additional
command or signal. The normal and fast paces shall be distinctly different.
SIT
If the handler halts, the dog shall, without command or signal, sit immediately
in the heel position. The handler shall not move in order to favor the dog's
position, but rather, the dog shall position itself according to the handler.
DOWN
If the handler commands or signals the dog to down, it shall comply immediately.
If this occurs during Heeling, the Dog shall lie parallel to the handler. If
this occurs during an apprehension task i.e., detaining, pursuit, etc., the dog
shall lie facing the relevant person. If this occurs during a scent work task,
i.e., Evidence Indication, the dog shall lie facing the relevant object.
RECALL
If the handler recalls the dog, it shall respond immediately and run at top
speed to the handler. The "Front" position is prescribed for a recall.
For examination purposes, the dog shall remain at the front position for three
seconds before being commanded to the heel position.
JUMP
If the handler commands or signals the dog to jump an obstacle, it should
respond immediately and not touch as it goes over.
BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC
If the handler walks through a group of people, the dog should remain at heel -
neutral and safe - to the people. Touching or sniffing is faulty. The handler
shall ensure sufficient space between the dog and others. This neutral and safe
demeanor shall be maintained, even if the Handler speaks or a person speaks to
the handler.
SURVEILLANCE
If the handler assumes a surveillance position with the dog, the prescribed
posture shall be a kneeling handler beside a sitting dog. The handler may hold
the dog by the collar. The dog shall be attentive to the terrain being
surveilled. The dog shall remain quiet and attentive, even if the handler
addresses a person.
PURSUIT
If the handler commands or signals the dog to pursue a person, the dog shall
respond immediately by running at top speed.
TACTICAL WINDSCENTING
If the handler initiates a suspect search utilizing tactical windscenting,
she/he shall hold the dog on a short leash and deploy slowly across the wind
current. The dog shall respond by sniffing the wind as they move forward. The
handler may quietly encourage the dog as they advance.
SUSPECT SEARCH
If the handler initiates a suspect search, she/he shall begin it from the heel
position and off-leash. The dog shall search as commanded or signaled,
purposefully, intensely, and systematically. The command or signal may be issued
together with the name of the dog. The handler may give additional commands or
signals as the dog is directed to each new quadrant of the search area.
CRIMINAL EVIDENCE SEARCH
If the handler initiates a criminal evidence search she/he shall begin it from
the heel position and off-leash. The dog shall search as commanded or signaled,
purposefully, intensely, and systematically. The command or signal may be issued
together with the name of the dog. The handler may give additional commands or
signals as the dog is directed to each new quadrant ofthe search area.
PINPOINTING (AKA FINDING)
If a patrol dog is deployed on a search for a person or criminal evidence, it
shall do so as described herein. If it perceives odor from a person or evidence,
it shall immediately pinpoint the source of the odor. pinpointing differs from
searching in that it is evaluated as independent behavior manifested by the dog,
whereas searching is a handler-controlled behavior.
TACTICAL WINDSCENTING INDICATION
If a patrol dog perceives odor or sound from a person while being thus deployed,
it shall immediately, quietly, and intensely face the direction of the
scent-cone. The indication should occur without influence from the handler.
SUSPECT INDICATION
If a patrol dog locates a person while searching, it shall respond by
immediately and persistently barking to advise the handler.
EVIDENCE INDICATION
If a patrol dog locates evidence while searching, it shall respond by
immediately lying down or sitting. The evidence shall not be touched nor picked
up nor contaminated in any way.
DETAINING A PASSIVE PERSON
If a patrol dog locates a passive person while searching, it shall immediately,
intensely, and persistently hold the person without physical contact. The dog
may assume a posture of sitting, standing, downing or circling to aid in the
task. A detaining patrol dog shall not invade the passive person's body space.
Optimal distance is 1-2 meters. Should the dog detain from behind the suspect's
hiding place or circle the entire location, this is not faulty. For evaluation
purposes, if a muzzled Detaining dog bumps a passive person with the muzzle or
if an unmuzzled dog bites a passive person, it is faulty.
SUBDUING A FLEEING PERSON
If a patrol dog engages a fleeing person while searching or pursuing, it shall
exhibit considerable pain compliance through biting to subdue. Considerable
combat behavior should enhance the pain compliance. If the dog is muzzled, as in
training or certification, intense bumping and wrestling should be evident.
SUBDUING A HOSTILE PERSON
If a patrol dog engages a hostile person while searching or pursuing, it shall
exhibit considerable pain compliance through biting to subdue. Considerable
combat behavior should enhance the pain compliance. If the dog is muzzled, as in
training or certification, intense bumping and wrestling should be evident.
RELEASE
If a handler commands a patrol dog to release, it shall respond by:
1. Immediately letting go if Engaged or backing off if Detaining;
2. Lie down;
3. Remain quiet; and
4. Remain alert for furtive movement.
A proper release is as follows. On a suspect control command such as "Stay
Still" the dog shall immediately let go. If a dog control command is given
such as "Down" the dog shall immediately lie down. Reasonable human
behavior from the suspect shall be tolerated by the dog when commanded to
release.
FRISK
If a handler conducts a frisk of a suspect subsequent to a release command to
the dog, the suspect may be instructed to step back or the dog may be commanded
to the heel position, whichever is more favorable. Regardless of where placed,
the dog shall remain quiet and attentive to the suspect, prepared to respond to
a furtive movement. The frisk behavior, for examination purposes, ends when the
handler has returned to the dog and begins the next task.
TRANSPORT
If a handler initiates a transport of a suspect in custody, the dog shall
respond by remaining at the heel position, attentive to the suspect. The front
transport is optimal and performed at a distance of about three meters. The
handler shall issue appropriate commands to direct the arrestee's movements. For
examination purposes, the transport is ended when the arrestee has gone about
five meters once remanded.
Examination Tasks
Obedience, Gun sureness, and Handler Protection
The handler and dog assume a heel position as directed by the judge. The handler
shall then command or signal the dog to heel as she/he walks straight ahead for
about 20 meters. After this distance, the handler shall demonstrate a right-turn
and then a left-turn. After the left turn the handler shall continue for another
20 meters.
Next, the handler shall heel in serpentine fashion through a group of three
handlers whose dogs are lying at their sides. After the first time through, the
handler shall execute an about-turn and pass through a second time.
Next, the handler shall leave the group and change to a jogging pace. After
about 10 meters, she/he shall approach a hurdle which is about one meter high.
The handler shall command or signal the dog to jump the hurdle and then return
to the heel position, maintaining the jogging pace. The handler shall then
continue about 20 meters and then command or signal the dog to down-in-motion.
The handler shall then continue jogging to a predetermined location and go
outdof sight.
A short time after the handler goes out of sight, the judge shall have two shots
fired at a distance of about 20 meters from the dog. After one minute the judge
shall instruct the handler to leave cover and take a position about 40 meters
from the dog. At this point, the handler shall recall the dog and then command
or signal it to go to the heel position.
Next, the handler shall begin heeling toward a walking line of at least three
people. The dog shall be in position such that it is between the handler and the
people as they pass each other. The handler and dog shall move past the people
and, when about five meters beyond, shall turn back toward them. She/he shall
overtake the group and order them to halt. She/he shall also halt at a distance
of about three meters and face the group. She/he shall then conduct a field
interview with each person.
Either the second or third person will attack the handler while being
interviewed. The handler shall not know ahead of time which person will become
hostile. The handler shall take evasive action and the dog must defend its
handler immediately and attempt to subdue. The attacker shall brandish an impact
weapon and inflict at least two strikes. Anytime after the second strike, the
handler may take control of the situation and command or signal the dog to
release. In the event the second person commits the assault, the handler shall
complete the interview of the third person after arresting the attacker.
Subsequently, the attacker is frisked, arrested, and transported to the judge
for remanding.
Procedures
1. The dog should be muzzled and shall be off-leash during this task.
2. The group of handlers and their muzzled dogs shall be positioned
about 10 meters apart. These dogs shall be maintained on-leash.
3. After the handler and dog have exited the group, they are
excused from the immediate area.
4. The hurdle shall be about one meter high, 1.5 meters wide, and
see-through, such as chain-link.
5. The firearm used to evaluate gun sureness should be about as
loud as a 9mm handgun. The distance from gun to dog should be
at least 20 meters.
6. The second group shall be moving parallel to and about two
meters from the approaching handler and dog. The members of
the group should be about three meters from each other. They
shall be moving at a walking speed.
7. The strikes to the dog shall be of medium intensity on the less
sensitive parts of the body. The attacker shall comply to the
handler's lawful order to desist.
Tracking
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to track a suspect's escape route. A crime scene,
including an object of evidence(car, briefcase, etc.) marks the starting point
of the track. The tracklayer shall depart from the object and travel about 200
meters to a hiding spot. Along the way she/he shall make two turns and drop one
item of realistic evidence. The handler shall deploy the dog to cast about for
the track, then follow it. The dog shall Indicate the evidence, as well as the
passive hidden person.
PROCEDURES
1. The judge shall determine the place where the initial evidence
object is to be placed.
2. A "scent pad" is not permitted. footprints should not be visible.
3. The tracklayer shall walk in a natural manner and wear ordinary
shoes. She/he is forbidden from making abnormal footfalls.
4. The track shall not be a defined pattern and shall be laid
reasonable to the lay of the land. Unnaturally sharp or
acute-angle turns are not realistic and not appropriate for the
examination. Obtuse-angle turns are permitted.
5. The evidence items shall not be larger than 25cm and shall be
similar color as the terrain.
6. The evidence shall be thoroughly permeated with human odor.
7. The evidence may be placed anywhere along the track, except
in the first orlast 20 meters.
8. The track must have at least one change of terrain.
9. The dog may track on-leash or off-leash and at any length, long
or short.
10. The track concludes at the hiding place where the passive
person is hiding. She/he may be in any position and will be
totally passive and compliant when encountered.
11. The dog shall demonstrate an indication on the suspect as
defined previously.
12. The dog may exhibit either "precision" tracking or
"street"
tracking to accomplish this task. Neither is evaluated superior
to the other.
Criminal Evidence Search
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to locate and indicate criminal evidence. The search
area shall be about 800m² size. The judge shall place four contaminated
realistic objects in the search area and the dog shall be given 10 minutes to
locate and indicate.
PROCEDURES
1. The search area shall be realistic and typical of deployment
scenarios.
2. The dog shall deploy unmuzzled and off-leash.
3. The handler and dog shall be out of sight when the objects are
placed. They shall be composed of four different materials and
not be over 10cm² in size.The objects shall be similar color as the
terrain and shall not be placed in plain sight.
4. The objects shall be thoroughly permeated with human odor.
5. The handler shall inform the judge of the indication behavior
prior to deploying the dog. The dog shall exhibit the same
indication behavior at all objects.
Building Search
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to locate and indicate a suspect hiding in a building.
The building area shall be about 1000m² size.
The handler shall issue at least two official announcements prior to deploying
the dog. After the second announcement, the handler may deploy at will.
When the dog has located the suspect, it shall immediately and intensely
indicate. Upon hearing the dog's indication, the handler may tactically advance
to the location. When the handler arrives at the hiding spot, she/he may take
control of the situation as circumstances dictate.
The handler shall frisk, arrest, and transport the person to the judge outside
the building.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy muzzled and off-leash.
2. Numerous hiding spots shall be available in the building. This is
intended to ensure that the dog's skill level may be accurately
evaluated.
3. The suspect shall be placed such that direct contact by the dog is
possible. The suspect may be in a standing, sitting, or prone
position, according to the environment available in the building.
Tactical Wind Scenting
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to tactically wind scent, locate, and indicate a
suspect hidden in a search area. The handler shall deploy the Dog on a short
leash across the wind current until it indicates. The handler shall issue at
least two official announcements prior to deploying the dog. After the second
announcement, the handler may deploy at will.
The dog shall then search for and find the suspect. When the dog has located the
suspect, it shall immediately and intensely indicate. Upon hearing the dog's
indication, the handler may tactically advance to the location. When the handler
arrives at the hiding spot, she/he may take control of the situation as
circumstances dictate.
The Handler shall frisk, arrest, and transport the suspect to the Judge.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy muzzled and on a short leash for the wind scenting
phase.
2. The suspect shall be standing upright in a natural hiding-place
which is not visible to the handler from the wind scenting phase.
3. The scenario shall be set up such that the wind favors the wind scenting
dog.
4. Should the wind cease, the suspect shall make minimal noises
which shall not be perceivable to the handler.
Subduing an Escaping Prisoner
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to subdue an escaping prisoner.
During a front transport of the tactical wind scenting task, the prisoner
attempts to escape. At the direction of the judge, she/he shall begin running
straight ahead.
The handler shall issue at least two official announcements prior to deploying
the dog. The dog shall remain at heel, even during the announcements. After the
second announcement, the handler may deploy at will.
The escapee shall be again taken into custody and transported to the judge for
remanding.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy muzzled and off-leash.
2. The prisoner shall flee suddenly and without any other stimulation than the
flight.
3. The dog shall Pursue at top speed, engage, and attempt to subdue the
escapee. The handler shall follow and take control of the situation as the
environment dictates.
4. If the dog knocks the escape down, she/he shall protect him/herself.
Otherwise, the escape shall stop running when engaged and then resist the
dog by hitting and grabbing, while facing the dog at all times.
Suspect Search
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to search for and locate suspects in large search
areas.
Prior to deployment, the judge shall place a person in an area about 100m X 200m
size. The person shall be lying in a prone position.
When the dog finds the person, it shall indicate the location immediately to the
handler. When the dog indicates, the handler shall tactically advance to the
location.
The handler shall determine the identity of the person and discover she/he is
NOT the suspect in question. At this time, the handler shall dismiss the person
from the search area.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy muzzled and off-leash.
2. The search area shall have considerable undergrowth or other
conditions which dramatically reduce visual abilities.
3. The person placed in this scenario represents an innocent citizen
inadvertently in the search area. She/he shall wear inconspicuous
clothing and lie in a natural manner. The person shall not be
visible to the handler until the last moment.
4. The judge shall dictate the starting point for the deployment,
after considering wind, etc., in order to provide the dog with
optimal chances for success.
5. The handler shall deploy the dog to conduct a systematic search
through thisarea.
6. If the dog overruns or the boundary of the search area slightly or
does not go completely to the boundary during the process of
searching, this is not faulty.
7. The handler is not required to follow an exact center-line, but
rather, may follow the lay of the land during his/her advance.
Pursuit and Apprehension Out of Sight
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to pursue a visible fleeing suspect and locate
him/her, even if she/he disappears from sight and hides.
The handler and dog shall assume a surveillance position as directed by the
judge.
At a distance of about 100 meters, a known suspect shall appear. The handler
shall then issue two official announcements to the suspect.
After the first announcement, the suspect shall flee out of sight and hide in a
location about 30 meters beyond the view of the handler.
When the suspect is out of sight, the handler shall deploy the dog to pursue.
The handler may follow immediately behind but shall halt at the point where the
suspect disappeared.
The dog should pursue at top speed to the point where the suspect disappeared.
Now the Dog is expected to independently search for and locate the suspect.
When the dog locates the suspect, it shall immediately indicate the location to
the handler. When the handler hears the dog indicate, she/he may tactically
advance to the location.
When the handler arrives at the location, she/he may take control of the
situation as circumstances dictate. The suspect shall be frisked, arrested,and
transported to the judge for remanding.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy muzzled and off-leash.
2. The suspect shall run quickly to the hiding spot, after the
announcement is issued. For purposes of the examination, the
suspect shall remain upright and passive during the encounter.
Subdue a Hostile Suspect
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to subdue a hostile suspect, even if she/he attempts
to thwart the dog's efforts.
The handler and dog shall assume a surveillance position as directed by the
judge. A known suspect shall appear at a distance of about 50 meters. The
handler shall then issue two official announcements to surrender. After the
first announcement the suspect shall turn and flee.
After the second announcement, the handler shall deploy the dog. The dog shall
pursue at top speed. When the dog is about 30 meters distance, the suspect shall
attempt to scare the dog away by charging it, yelling, and making threatening
gestures.
The dog shall disregard the suspect's behavior and engage with considerable
intensity. It shall attempt to subdue the suspect, regardless of his/her
actions. When the handler arrives at the location, she/he may take control of
the situation as circumstances dictate.
The suspect shall be frisked, arrested, and transported to the judge for
remanding.
PROCEDURES
1. The dog shall deploy nuzzled and off-leash.
2. The suspect shall wear suitable protective clothing such as a sleeve or bite
suit.
3. When the suspect charges the dog, she/he shall do so in a manner which is
intended to thwart the dog's desire to engage. The suspect shall continue to
make movements and actions, even after the dog is commanded to release.
The suspect shall stop only after it is evident the dog has responded to the
release command and is stable in the down position.
Pursuit and Apprehension in Sight
The handler shall deploy the dog in a scenario which has been prepared to
examine the dog's ability to pursue and subdue a suspect who is fleeing in plain
view.
The handler and dog shall assume a surveillance position at a point designated
by the judge.
A suspect shall appear at a distance of about 100 meters. The handler shall then
issue two official announcements. After the first announcement, the suspect
shall flee.
After the second announcement, the handler shall deploy the dog. The dog shall
pursue at top speed. When the dog is en route, the suspect shall stop and face
the dog. The surrendering behavior shall be evident and she/he shall then remain
motionless. The handler now has the option of permitting the dog to detain or
commanding the dog to down while en route.
If the dog detains, it shall do so without physical contact. When the handler
arrives at a distance of at least ten paces, she/he shall command the dog to
assume a backup position.
If the dog downs en route, it shall do so immediately upon receiving the
command. This procedure is intended to result in the dog being commanded to down
at a distance in which it may remain functional in the guard position. If the
distance it downs at is greater than reasonably functional, it shall be
considered faulty. Once down, it shall then await the handler's approach and, if
the distance between the dog and suspect is more than two meters, they shall
advance together at heel for the remainder of the distance. Upon arrival at the
suspect's location, the handler shall command the dog to assume a backup
position.
It shall now remain quiet and alert, ready to respond to a furtive movement. The
handler shall then frisk, arrest, and transport the suspect back to the judge
for remanding.
PROCEDURES
1. The Dog shall deploy muzzled and off-leash.
2. The suspect shall remain passive and motionless once the surrendering
behavior is exhibited. If the detaining dog circles or positions itself behind
the suspect, she/he may turn in order to maintain a frontal view of the dog.
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SCHUTZHUND
