Court Recognition of NPCA Certification

The National Police Canine Association (NPCA) has actively sought to identify and document court proceedings in which NPCA certifications and training standards have been recognized and accepted as evidence of professional competency.

In 2016, an NPCA-certified canine officer testified in federal court in Los Angeles, California, in a case in which the validity and credibility of NPCA certification were challenged. The defense retained expert witness Andre “Andy” Falco to question whether the NPCA was a nationally recognized organization and whether its certification standards met appropriate professional standards.

During the proceedings, the NPCA provided portions of its governing rules and certification materials documenting its training requirements, certification procedures, and qualifications. The court proceedings included detailed examination of the NPCA's standards and certification practices.

The court ultimately accepted the NPCA certification and training standards. The resulting decision was subsequently upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth District.

The available case materials provide valuable insight into the examination and legal consideration of NPCA certification, including:

• Motions filed by the parties
• Expert opinions and testimony
• Relevant court transcripts
• NPCA rules and certification requirements submitted as evidence
• The court's decision regarding NPCA certification and training
• The appellate decision upholding the certification and training standards

These documents are available below in Downloads #1 for review and reference.