Narcotic Certification Standards
Section 1: NARCOTICS TO BE USED FOR CERTIFICATIONAll K-9s must find marijuana and cocaine to certify. Other narcotics are optional to the certifying agent. The type of narcotic is to be determined prior to the test. There will be at least one stash of marijuana and one stash of cocaine in each given area. One of each in a building and one of each on or in an automobile.
YOU MUST USE REAL DRUGS IN EACH CERTIFICATION. PSEUDO-SCENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED!!
Section 2: ALERTS
Each handler is responsible for notifying the judges of the type of alert (aggressive or passive) the judge can expect from the K-9.
Section 3: TIME
There will be a time limit of ten (10) minutes for two (2) narcotic stashes. The K-9 will be allowed a rest period of 15 minutes, then will resume the searches on the automobile or building.
Section 4: SEARCH AREA
The search area will consist of at least an inside area and two or more vehicles. At least one of the vehicles must be blank (contain no drug or explosive odors) and one vehicle must contain a drug odor. Proofing odors will be hidden in the search areas, and will be marked as so. Hitting on proofing odors will be an automatic fail. (Clean tennis balls, perfumes, ect.) The decision of what to use will be up to the certifying agent. The handler will not watch the test of other teams prior to taking the test. The handler will have ninety (90) days to re-certify before additional charges will be assessed. It is the handler responsibility to locate a certifying official and set the time, date and travel arrangements for re-certification.
Section 5: QUALIFICATION OF A K-9 HANDLER TO BE CERTIFIED
The handler shall be a law enforcement agent and employed by a law Department and/or an employee of a private security, investigative or detection service licensed within the state they are located in. They must have no less than 40 hours of K-9 Narcotic Detection Training covering K-9 laws and K-9 handling. The handler and K-9 will be certified as a team.
