North American Police Work Dog Association

Master Trainer Accreditation

Members wishing to be accredited as a Master Trainer of Police Work Dogs must conform to the following:

1.) Obtain an application packet from the NAPWDA Secretary. The packet will include instructions as to what is required and one copy of the NAPWDA Critique Sheet. The critique sheet must be completed and signed by at least two master trainers before the complete application package may be sent in for consideration.

**NOTE** All incomplete application packages and packages not received postmarked by the deadline will not be considered and no written tests or oral interviews will be conducted by the Accreditation Committee at the Executive Board meetings. Adopted 11-15-97

2.) Applicant must be a Regular Member of the North American Police Work Dog Association in good standing, and is an accredited North American Police Work Dog Association Trainer of police work dogs for a minimum of three (3) years, unless the applicant is already a Master Trainer. Revised 6-20-98. To apply for and be accredited as a NAPWDA Master Trainer, the applicant must be a full time law enforcement officer who is either that department K9 trainer or handler for for at least 2 years; or is a retired law enforcement officer and was the department full time K9 trainer or handler for at least 2 years; or was a law enforcement K9 officer and is employed full time as the law enforcement agency’s K9 trainer for at lease 2 years. Adopted 6-26-98 Full time means a minimum of 40 hrs per week and must receive full benefits from the employing agency as do all other full time employees of the agency. Adopted 6-26-98

3.) Anyone applying for accreditation of Master Trainer must bring a K-9 before the Accreditation Committee and show all phases of the status that he/she is requesting. The only exception would be if a quorum of the Accreditation Committee has observed the applicant's dog(s) in a different location, they may make a recommendation based on their knowledge. Adopted 11-02-85

4.) Dogs trained must be trained to this Associations testing standards.

5.) The Master Trainers standards must meet with all local or area requirements and conform to the standards set forth by North American Police Work Dog Association.

6.) Applicant must be capable and experienced in training for any or all phases of the police work dog, to include completely training a minimum of three (3) K9 teams which are cetified by NAPWDA in those areas the applicant is applying for.

7.) The applicant must have a written letter of recommendation from at least one NAPWDA Master Trainer. All Master Trainers who write a letter of recommendation must at least include in that letter the following:

7.1) List any certifications that you (the master trainer) have done of this applicant and their dog or K9 teams they have trained.

7.2) State the approximate number of hours that you (the master trainer) have worked with this applicant.

7.3) Your (the master trainer) personal knowledge of the applicants participation in any NAPWDA functions.

7.4) Any other relative information you (the master trainer) may have about the applicant.

The applicant must send two (2) copies of the complete application package to the NAPWDA Accreditation Chairperson at least ninety (90) days prior to the Executive Board meeting. The Accreditation Chairperson will do a NAPWDA background check to make sure that ALL NAPWDA requirements have been met and then forward a complete application package to the NAPWDA Secretary. If the application package is NOT COMPLETE, the NAPWDA Accreditation Chairperson WILL RETURN THE ENTIRE PACKAGE TO THE APPLICANT advising what is missing. If the application package is complete, the Accreditation Chairperson will send a written letter via certified, return receipt requested mail to the applicant advising of: the receipt of the complete package; the date; the location; and the time that the applicant must appear before the NAPWDA Accreditation Committee and the Executive Board. Included with the applicants application package WILL BE:

(7A.) At least one letter of recommendation from a NAPWDA Master Trainer.

(7B.) Their current resume accounting for his/her practical experience with working police dogs, their length of time as a handler/trainer, copies of applicable certificates, etc.

(7C.) His/her reasons for applying for the accreditation.

(7D.) A copy of their training course (curriculum) he/she offers for the training of police work dogs. It MUST consist of a minimum of four hundred (400) hours.

All incomplete application packages and packages not received postmarked by the deadline will not be considered and no written tests or oral interviews will be conducted by the Accreditation Committee at the Executive Board meetings. Revised 06-22-96

(7E.) All applicants must submit a signed waiver so that all employment information can be verified by the NAPWDA Accreditation Board. Adopted 11-15-97

(F.) Applicant must submit with their application package the following items:

1.) A letter on department letter head stating dates of his/her current employment, position and job description and must include a list of dogs trained by the applicant for his/her department. This letter will state whether the training of this departments dogs was a complete training course or regular maintenance training.

2.) Applicant must include a letter on department letter head from any and all departments for which dogs have been trained by the applicant. This letter will state whether the training of this departments dogs was a complete training course or regular maintenance training. Adopted 11-15-97 Revised 10-24-98

8.) An accredited Master Trainer will have the responsibility of testing and certifying, for this Association, police officers and their department work dogs under the testing rules set forth by this organization.

9.) Upon initial accreditation as a Master Trainer, applicant will serve a two (2) year interim period.

10.) The Accreditation Committee has the authority to order a Master Trainer to appear before the accreditation board in response to any formal or informal complaint(s). The Accreditation Committee also has the authority to temporarily suspend the Master Trainer privileges and rights until the Master Trainer appears before the Accreditation Committee or until a formal grievance is filed and the respective procedures followed. Adopted 10-28-95

11.) Said accreditation may be Removed or Revoked at any time by this Association for "Just Cause" after a full investigation and hearing is held by the North American Police Work Dog Association Accreditation Committee.

12.) Accreditation will be valid as long as the member remains in good standing and REMAINS ACTIVE. Active is defined as: Attending at least one (1) NAPWDA State or National Workshop biannually and/or conducting multiple NAPWDA certifications yearly. A current resume update WILL be submitted in writing to the NAPWDA Secretary no later than January 31st of each year, beginning in January, 1997. Revised 06-22-96 Non compliance to this rule will result in the following:

First Offense: Suspension of all Master Trainer Privleges for a period of 60 days, beginning immediatley.
Second Offense: Suspension of all Master Trainer privieges for a period of 1 year, beginning immediately.
Third Offense: Immediate change to “Inactive Status”. Inactive is defined as not being permitted to test and certify K9 teams to NAPWDA rules and from representing themselves as a NAPWA Master Trainer at any workshops or seminars. To go back to “Active “, status, the member must submit in writing their current resume as required and reappear before the Accreditation Committe for review.

A letter will be sent via certified return receipt requested US Mail to the Master Trainer notifying him/her of the suspension and that they have two weeks form receipt of said letter to comply. A noncompliance will result in termination of their Master Trainer accreditation. If the letter is returned unaccepted or marked as undeliverable these rules remain in effect and will be carrid out. Added 6-13-99

13.) The applicant must pass a written and oral test before the Accreditation Committee. Revised 06-19-88

14.) The applicant must pass a written and oral test before the Accreditation Committee. Revised 6-19-88

15.) Any Master Trainer wishing to add on additional accredeited phases must train a K9 team in the requested phase(s) and have that K9 team NAPWDA certified. The applicant must also have a letter of recommendation from a NAPWDA Master Trainer of the requested new phase(s). The applicant must submit their written request, including written information of the newly trained/certified K9 team (including handlers name, department name, city, state, phone number and a copy of that team’s NAPWDA certification test sheet), at least 90 least prior to the Accreditation Committee meeting. The applicant will then appear before the Accrediation Board to take the written and oral assessment center. Adopted 6-20-98

16.) It shall be the responsibility of the Master Trainer applicant to keep records of all testing and other assistance rendered. Revised 6-18-99

17.) Classifications of Master Trainers:

a.) Police Utility Work Dogs
b.) Police Narcotic Detector Dogs
c.) Police Explosive Detector Dogs
d.) Police Bloodhound Tracking Dogs
e.) Police Cadaver Detector Dogs
f.) Accelerant Detector Dogs

Revised 06-13-99
This section reviewed 06-13-99

When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.

Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional. The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.

Copyright 2008 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. US Copyright Link. By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.



Raising Puppies	Training DVDs	Training Equipment	New Products