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Mid-South Police Canine Association

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Examiner Rules

All Examiners must be appointed by MSPCA.
All Examiners must be active members in good standing with MSPCA.
Any Examiner may be dismissed by the association for mistreatment of any team or member, upon the incident being reviewed by the association.
A complaint must be forwarded to the association in writing.
Examiner's will not be allowed to test any teams while under the influence of any alcohol or drugs.
All Examiners will be informed to test all teams as fairly and as honestly as possible. (with priorities on the safety of the officer and team effectiveness).
All Examiners must be professional and courteous.
No Examiner may receive any compensation for his services other than expenses (unless he/she is paid instructor for a seminar).
All Examiners will be informed to make every effort to make any and all areas of certifications as close to actual street work as possible.
Anyone interested in becoming an Examiner must send an application and resume of Police Canine experience to the President of the Association along with three references as to their ability in this field.

Basic Patrol Canine Team Rules

These test will be for certification purposes only.
No electric shock collars or dummy collars will be allowed on canines during certifications.
The examiner must be appointed by the MSPCA.
Certifications will be valid for 1 year from date of certification.
The examiner has the right to refuse to test any dog that poses a threat towards him/herself or others.
The examiner may comment on the score sheet as to any problems that the tested team may have.
The decoy must be agreed upon by the majority of the handlers.
As much as possible, the decoy must be able to perform in a consistent manner for all teams.
A hidden sleeve or bite-suit must be used in all areas of basic patrol dog testing.
Before testing takes place in a building or area search, a team must be put in the area and walked around.
Certifications may be video taped.
All handlers will be scored as pass or fail. The handler must pass in order for the team to receive certification.
Any questions or complaints may be forwarded to the president and/or the vice-president of the region where the certification took place.
Participants must be MSPCA members in good standing.
All handlers and examiners will act in a professional manner. There will be no intoxicating beverages allowed on the premises of any of certifications. No handler or examiner will be allowed to participate in the events while under the influence of said. Any violations will result in the banning of those persons from any and all MSPCA events.
Testing of patrol canines will focus upon officer safety and team effectiveness.
The examiner has the final decision on each testing. (only an association review may overturn his decision).
The handler will be expected to maintain control of his/her canine.
Testing must be as close to actual street type situations as possible.
The examiner must refire any area that a team has failed at least one time. The team has two complete attempts to certify in a 7 day period.
There must be a practice round offered and if a team passes then the team may take it as certification and not retest.

Basic Patrol Canine Team Certification

This certification will consist of 6 different phases that will be scored as pass or fail. These areas are obedience, agility, area search, building search, handler protection and criminal apprehension. All areas must be satisfactorily completed in order to certify.
The examiners and decoys must make certifications as close as possible to actual street encounters.
Pre-certification practices will be offered the day before certifications to work out any small problems and to get familiar with the exercises.
The charge for certifications in basic patrol will $35 for members or $50 for MSPCA membership and certification.
Tracking level I or II / evidence detection certifications will be included in the basic patrol cost if attempted.
Cost for basic patrol and narcotic detection or bomb detection will be $50 for both if paid member.

Obedience

The basic patrol canine team must demonstrate acceptable proficiency in the following areas; heel, sit, down, come, stay and social exposure.
For obedience testing a square course shall be laid out on short to medium grass on a flat surface area. The course must be marked at each corner with some type of visible marker or traffic cone. The corners must be approximately 20 paces apart.
Part I: The handler with the canine on lead will start at point "A" on the course and walk to point "B" at a normal pace. The canine must stay at the heel and be under the control of the handler. The dog may walk somewhat behind or in front of handler. The walk will be clockwise.
Part II: The team will make a right turn at point "B" and continue around the course making right turns at points "D" and "E."
Part III: The team will upon arrival at point "A," make an about turn and make a complete walk back to point "A." The team will make left turns at point "C," "D," and "B." The team will walk at a faster pace and the canine must stay at heel during this phase. This phase will be counter clockwise.
Part IV: The team will about face back at point "A" and the handler will give the command for the canine to sit. The canine must hold this position for 30 seconds with the handler at its side.
Part V: The team will proceed to point "B" at a normal walk. Upon arrival at point "B", the handler will give the command for the canine to down. The canine may be put in the sit position first. The handler must stay at the dogs side. The dog must hold this position for 30 seconds.
Part VI: The team will proceed towards point "D" and as the team passes point "C," a gunshot will be fired from a distance of 50 paces away from the team. The canine may show interest, but must remain under the control of the handler.
Part VII: Upon arrival at point "D," the canine will be placed in either the sit or down position. The handler must drop the leash and walk a complete circle around the canine then come back to the heel position. The canine must stay in that position.
Part VIII: The team will proceed to point "E" and the canine must sit or down. The handler will command the canine to stay and walk to point a and face the canine. The canine must hold that position for 30 seconds then come to the handler when called. The examiner will call the time.
All of the previous steps of obedience will be repeated off lead with the omission of gunshot.
The last area of obedience will be social exposure. This phase will be tested by having a group of 5 people stand within a group a maximum of 8 feet apart. The group must be conversing, but not loudly or with sudden movements. The canine must be walked at heel on lead in a pattern as shown below. The canine must not exhibit any aggression towards any of the persons and must be under the control of the handler.

Agility

The team must demonstrate the ability to overcome the following obstacles. Agility may be performed on or off lead at the discretion of the handler.

Hurdles

On command the canine will jump over 3 hurdles that are constructed of any materials encountered in the tour of duty. The jumps must be 3 feet high.
The first hurdle shall be of any color, but must be solid (i.e. Plywood, boards, vinyl siding, etc.)
The second hurdle shall be constructed of chain link, picket fence, or similar materials.
The third hurdle shall be a window type jump constructed of wood, plywood, or vinyl siding or an actual window may be used if it is approximately 3 feet high.
Acceptable: the canine jumps the hurdles without knocking them over or having to be pulled over them.the canine may touch the hurdles while going over.
Unacceptable: the canine refuses to jump the hurdles or tries to climb over.

Pipe Crawl/Crawl

Upon command the canine must go through a pipe or crawl space that is from 18 to 24 inches in height and at least 8 feet long. The canine may be encouraged by the handler to go through the space.
This will conclude the obedience and agility testing phases. If a canine has not succeeded thus far, the examiner will not allow the team to proceed further testing. The MSPCA’s position is that if a canine can not get to the criminal due to obstacles or the dog is out of control, then it need not attempt the following.

Building Search

The team must, off lead, demonstrate the ability to locate, alert to, and/or apprehend a subject concealed inside a building with a minimum of 5,000 square feet and a maximum of 15,000 square feet. At least one-half of the building’s floors must be constructed of a slick type surface (concrete, tile,hardwood).
A 30 minute time limit will be applied, and the examiner will keep and call the time.
The handler must give 2 loud warnings as to the deployment of a police canine. The canine must show adequate interest in searching and must remain under the control of the handler at all times. The canine must locate the hidden decoy and the handler must be able to read the canine.
The canine may scratch, sit, bark, or bite the decoy. The handler may work with the canine by opening doors to rooms and closets. The handler may encourage the canine as much as he/she wants. After the team locates the decoy, the decoy will give cause for a bite and the canine must bite and hold until told to release by the handler. The canine must release with no more than three commands.
The handler will be scored as to how well he/she uses cover and concealment, flashlight control and voice control of the suspect decoy. If the handler walks by and sees the decoy hidden he/she is expected to gain proper positioning and direct canine to the area while giving verbal commands to the decoy. (you would’t walk by them on an actual call so we don’t either).
Acceptable: the team off lead searches safely and effectively and the canine shows interest in the search and locates the decoy in the allotted time. The handler must be able to read the dog. The dog must be brave, aggressive and give an obvious indication as to the location of decoy. The canine must bite and hold when called upon and release upon command.
Unacceptable: the canine exceeds the time limit, shows no interest in searching, fails to locate decoy, or does not alert to decoy. The handler has no control of the search or does not search safely.

Area Search

The team must, on or off lead, demonstrate acceptable proficiency in locating a hidden subject in an area that is approximately the size of a football field. This area may be wooded, a car lot, fenced-in, or any area commonly encountered in the regular tour of duty. The handler must issue 2 warnings indicating the deployment of the canine. The decoy must hide no less than 75 paces from the starting point of the team, to ensure the examiner that the canine is working. The canine may bite or bark at the decoy. A time limit of 30 minutes will be allowed for this exercise. The handler must make every attempt to use cover and concealment while searching, when available. The handler must use verbal commands towards the decoy. (just like on the street).
Acceptable: the team searches for and finds the decoy in the allotted time. The canine is brave and if the decoy is bitten, hold until told to release by the handler. The canine is under control and the officer searches safely.
Unacceptable: the canine does not search and does not locate, alert to, or bite the decoy. The handler does not search safely.

Handler Protection

This area of testing will be broken down into the following phases and must be tested in this sequence:
Field interview: a decoy will be placed in an area where people are commonly encountered. The handler will be given an scenario as to what type call he/she has received. It is up to the discretion of the handler as to how the call is approached. While the handler is in the process of confronting the decoy, the decoy will assault the handler. The decoy may be hidden and come out and attack the handler. The canine must protect the handler by biting and holding the decoy until told to release by the handler.
Two suspect interview: each team will be sent to interview two decoys in an area, during which one decoy will assault the handler. The dog must bite and hold this subject after which the second decoy will assault the handler. The handler must call the canine off and direct it to the assaulting decoy. The dog must come to the handlers aide. The handler will be allowed to give several commands to the canine.
Protection from a vehicle: the canine will be placed in a vehicle that it has access to come out of. The handler will drive the vehicle up to a decoy and get out to confront the decoy, while the canine remains in the car.
The decoy will assault the handler and the canine must come from the vehicle and protect the handler by biting and holding the decoy until told to release by the handler. The canine may be commanded to come out by handler.

Criminal Apprehension Recall

The team will be placed in an open area at a point marked by the examiner. The examiner will also place a marker at approx. 40 paces from the team. The decoy will start at half the distance between the markers and run away from the canine towards the other marker. As the decoy runs away the canine will be sent to apprehend. As the decoy passes the second marker he/she will turn and surrender. The canine must be recalled no more than half the distance to the decoy. The canine may bump the decoy, but must not engage the decoy with a bite. The canine may return to the handler or guard the decoy until the handler places the canine back on lead.
Acceptable: the canine gives chase and when commanded terminates the apprehension.
Unacceptable: the canine refuse to give chase or fully engages the decoy.

Apprehension Without Gunfire

The team will be placed in an open area at a point marked by examiner. A decoy will be placed 20 paces away from the team. The decoy will start yelling and run away in an evasive manner. The canine will be sent to apprehend the decoy upon the signal from the examiner. The canine must give chase and apprehend the decoy by biting and holding the decoy. The canine must hold decoy until the handler arrives, at which time the handler will stop at a distance of approx. 10 paces away from the canine. The handler will command the canine to release. The canine must release with no more than 3 commands. And the handler may pause several seconds between commands.
The canine will be placed in the sit or down position and told to guard the decoy while the handler searches the decoy. The canine must watch and be alert while staying in that position.
(the canine must be brave, alert, give chase and release upon command)

Apprehension With Gunfire

The test for this phase will be the same as for criminal apprehension with the exception that the decoy will fire 2 shots from either a .32 or .38 caliber blank pistol as he/she runs away. The search will be deleted from this exercise. The canine must release with no more than 3 commands.
(the canine must give chase after gunshot, be brave, and bite and hold decoy until told to release. The canine may show hesitation but must not retreat)

Apprehension Over an Obstacle

A decoy will run away from the team and cross over some type of obstacle that will require the canine to jump over after him, (i.e. chain-link fence, board jump, picket fence etc.) The canine must overcome the obstacle and apprehend the decoy by biting and holding decoy until handler arrives and commands the release. The handler may help canine over obstacle.
This will conclude all of the basic patrol canine team certification unless tracking or evidence detection will be attempted. The outcome of those areas will not effect the certification of basic patrol. They will be offered following all other basic testing.
A score sheet must be filled out and returned to the association on each team regardless whether passed or failed.

Basic Patrol Canine Team

Score Sheet

Handler:___________________________ Title:______________________

SS No:_____________________________ DOB:_____________________

Department:___________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

Phone:_________________________ Fax:___________________________

Canine Name:_________________________ Age:_______ Breed:________

Color:____________________ Markings:____________________________

*****************************************************************

Obedience: Pass______ Fail______

Agility: Pass______ Fail______

Building Search: Pass______ Fail______

Area Search: Pass______ Fail______

Criminal Apprehension: Pass______ Fail______

Handler Protection: Pass______ Fail______

Handler Performance: Pass______ Fail______

Comments:_______________________________________________________

Examiner:_______________________ Date:___________________

Location of Certification:____________________________________________

Send completed form to:

M.S.P.C.A.
PO Box 901458
Memphis, TN 38190

Tracking & Evidence Detection Team

Rules:

These tests will be for certification purposes only.
No electric shock collars will be allowed on dogs during certifications.
The examiner must be appointed by the MSPCA (see rules for examiner)
Certifications will be valid for 1 year from date of certification
The examiner has the right to refuse to test any dog that poses a threat towards him/herself or others.
The examiner may comment on the score sheet as to any problems that he/she observed.
The track layer must be agreed upon by the majority of the handlers.
As much as possible, the track layer must be able to perform in a consistent manner for all teams.
Certifications may be video taped.
All handlers will be scored as pass or fail. The handlers must also pass in order for the team to receive certification.
Any questions or complaints will be forwarded to the president and/or the vice-president of the region in which the certification took place.
All participants must conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Participants must be in good standing with MSPCA.
All handlers and examiners will act in a professional manner. There will be no intoxicating beverages allowed on the premises where certifications takes place. No person will be allowed to participate while under the influence of said.

Police Canine Tracking
Level 1

For certification in tracking, the canine team must be able to demonstrate acceptable proficiency in following a track laid by a person.
The examiner may lay the track to be followed as long as he/she can observe the actions of the team.
The track layer must be at the end of the track.
The track must begin in vegetation and may go into a wooded area. The track must not be laid on no more than 20 feet of blacktop, asphalt, or concrete (i.e. Road crossing).
The track must be approximately 30 minutes old when the team starts.
The starting point will be marked by some type marker on each side of the track.
The canine must alert to the track layer who will be located down wind of the last leg of the track. The canine must go completely to the track layer, but will not be allowed a bite.
There will be no time limit and the team will be allowed to track until the examiner is satisfied that the canine is unable to complete the exercise.
The canine may be given as much encouragement as needed.
Articles will be placed on the track, but the team will not be deducted if they are not indicated to.

Evidence Detection Team Certification

For certification in evidence detection, the team must, off lead.
Demonstrate acceptable proficiency in searching for and locating articles that contain human scent.
The articles of evidence may be wood, plastic, or paper. The articles may be taken from the following list and be changed before each team is tested.
*Plastic credit card, *Glove, *Spent Shotgun Shell, *Leather Wallet, *Hat, *4-6 Inch Screwdriver, *Crumpled Cigarette Package, *Metal
Three articles must be hidden and at least two located.
Within 20 minutes the canine must locate and alert to (or retrieve) the articles of evidence which are concealed from the handlers view in an area 30 by 30 feet. This area must be of sufficient vegetation to fully conceal the articles.
The articles must be scented with human scent for at least 5 minutes prior to placement. The examiner will place the scented articles in the search area by walking into the area and dropping them. The team must wait 5 minutes before starting the search.
The canine may alert in any manner-whether passive or aggressive; however, the handler must let the examiner know of the canine’s style of alerting prior to testing.