Welcome To N.P.C.A.'s Standards for Training & Certifications Section

 

Be Advised: Our Training & Certification Standards for all areas of certification can now be found in just one manual.. This was done to make it easier to find and download the information you need, in addition to making it easier to store on your computer. After downloading and saving the file, you do NOT need to print all of the pages if you only need a few for reference. When using the 'print command' to print the file, merely select the pages you wish to print.

 

We also have Microsoft Excel Score Sheets available for those officials who wish to download and use them for computer scoring on a Notebook computer in the field.

 

Please note the following changes have been made to the NPCA Standards & Training Rules.

·        Any attempt to intentionally violate stated rules shall result in being excused from certification and or possible expulsion from organization.

      Changes/Updates to Rules or Standards-Effective 10/19/2009

• New SRT Rules:

          1. Canine Teams attempting SRT Certification must have passed an NPCA Patrol Certification  within the  twelve (12) preceding months.  If the canine team attempting SRT Certification has NOT earned a NPCA Patrol Certification within the twelve (12) preceding months, ALL of the following must apply:

• The canine team must NOT have failed ANY Patrol Certification in the twelve (12)preceding months.

• The canine team must NOT have intentionally bypassed an opportunity to complete an NPCA Patrol certification, nor elected to complete an alternate Patrol certification when NPCA Patrol certification was available.

• The canine team must provide written proof (e.g. Certificate) of an equivalent Patrol Canine Certification to the Certifying Officials.  Copies of written proof of Patrol Canine Certification will be included with the Master Score Sheets for the SRT certification. The Certifying Officials conducting the SRT certification have discretion to reject equivalent Patrol Certifications presented for any reason.

• The canine team attempting SRT Certification must be participating in, or have documentation of completing in the previous twelve (12) months, a training course (minimum 16 hours) specific to tactical canine deployments.  SRT Certification must be conducted by a qualified NPCA Certifying Official.

          2. Suspected violations of any policies pertaining to SRT Certification will be forwarded to the Standards Committee for investigation.  The Chairman of the Standards Committee may elect to suspend the SRT certification of the party in question while the investigation is completed.  The Executive Board may revoke SRT Certification at any time, for any reason, by majority vote.

• Human Concealment Ammendments:

No more than four (4) called alerts will be allowed for the entire Human Concealment Certification.

• Explosives Detection Certification:

Minimum of eight (8) feet of det cord will be used in Explosive Detection Certificaitons.

• Stay on Gunfire:

During the Stay on Gunfire phase, the canine will remain in a predetermined six (6) foot diameter drop-off area.  If the canine completely leaves the six (6) foot area, this constitutes a failure of the Stay on Gunfire.

• Certifications Approval: All NPCA certifications must be approved by the Regional Director where the certification will take place prior to certification.

Changes/Updates to Rules or Standards - Effective 5/28/2009

·    ·        Apprehension Phases: Certification will be off lead unless directed by Certifying Official.

·        Patrol Apprehension Phase and Handler Protection:  Once the K9 has engaged the decoy, the handler has 45 seconds for the K9 to release the bite using up to 4 (four) commands. In the event of a re-bite, the handler must again call the dog off the re-bite using no more than 4 commands. This exercise must be completed within the 45 seconds.

·        E-Collar: If an electric stimulus collar (E-Collar) is worn in the working environment, it may be worn in certifications. The E-Collar must be in the off position and this will be verified by the Certifying Official. The Certifying Official will be given the transmitter until the completion of the phase. (Only applies to Patrol/Handler Protection Certifications.)

·    ·        Any Regular or Associate K9 Team (handler and dog) attempting certifications must be employed by a municipality, county, state, federal, military, or fire/arson agency. 

·    ·        Patrol Recall Phase:  The recall of the K9 will occur after the K9 crosses the fifteen yard (15 yd.) marker and at the direction of the CO, the handler will (A) command the K9 to stop the pursuit and return to handler, or (B) the handler will command the K9 to stop (sit, down or stand) and remain at that point. The handler can then move to the K9’s position or (C) the K9 will be commanded to pursue the decoy and go to a guard position (sit, down or stand). No command to guard need be given, the handler will then move to the K9 and assume control. 

·        ·        Patrol Recall Phase:  Removing sentence (The handler will remain stationary at the start line during the entire phase.    

·          ·        SRT Certification:  Removing requirement that a letter must be submitted from their department that they are part of or used as a Special Response team. The letter is no longer needed.

 

Patrol Certification & Handler Protection Updates - Effective 5/08/2008

 ·         A reward cannot be used to visually stimulate a K-9 to recall or release the bite during Handler Protection or Patrol Certifications.  The dog may be rewarded after the handler has physical control of the K-9. 

·          ·        " Re-contact" will be changed to "Re-bite" in the apprehension phase of the Patrol Certification, as well as the Handler Protection Certification.