NCJ Number
205587
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 38-40
Date Published
April 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses issues involving the training, standardized testing, and certification of police canines.
Abstract
The reliability of police canines has long been an issue of scrutiny, especially in a court of law. A judge in a recent Federal court ruled that the police canine used in the case was not reliable; the judge based the decision on the canine’s 35.5 percent street success rate. The author probes the notion of “reliability” when it comes to police canines. The importance of training for both the canine and the handler is underscored. Training programs and testing procedures should constantly be re-evaluated and revised based on the latest knowledge in the field. The issue of standardized training and testing has been a contested one; currently training programs vary widely across the country. Many departments are under the assumption that purchasing a “pre-trained” dog will cut down on training costs and officer time out of the field. On the contrary, generally pre-trained dogs cost more in poor performance and re-training than an untrained canine would have cost. Administrators and dog trainers are advised to be aware of the latest laws and court cases regarding canine training. The many national canine associations offer certifications for most canine specialties that meet their association standards. Many departments that do not have their own training and certification programs depend upon these national organizations and adopt their standards for canine training and certification. Trainers, handlers, and administrators are urged to provide the best training and to conform to constitutional law; in the absence of other standards, the standards of the national canine associations should be adopted.