Section 250. Detector canine handler - compulsory minimum training requirements

A. Entry-level course and minimum hour requirement. The compulsory minimum entry-level training courses and specific minimum hour requirement excluding examinations, practical exercises, and range qualification shall be:

Detector Canine Handler - 160 hours (excluding certification examination)

a. 04ED: Detector Canine Handler - 160 hours

b. Certification exam by a certified detector canine handler examiner

B. Entry-level course content. The compulsory minimum entry-level training course content by specific course excluding examinations, mandated practical exercises, and range qualification shall be as provided in this subsection.

Detector canine handler (04ED) - 160 hours to include practical exercises (excluding certification exam)

a. Introduction/orientation/administration

(1) Code of ethics

(2) General duties and responsibilities

(3) Legal

(4) Applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and Regulations Relating to Private Security Services

(5) Signs of terrorism

b. Working canines

(1) Historical perspective

(2) Terms and definitions

(3) Methodology and application

(4) Training documentation

(5) Search patterns

c. Basic canine handling (including practical exercises)

(1) Training

(2) Care and health

(3) Emergency medical care

d. Detector canine deployment

Canine behavior: reading and understanding

e. Explosive or narcotics familiarization (including practical exercises)

(1) Illegal narcotics familiarization

(2) Explosives substance and I.E.D. familiarization

(3) Safety

f. Written comprehensive exam

C. In-service course content and minimum hour requirement. The compulsory minimum in-service training content and minimum hour requirement excluding examinations, practical exercises, and range qualification shall be as follows:

(04ID) Detector Canine Handler In-Service - 8 hours (excluding certification exam)

a. Detector canine team retraining and problem solving

b. Search techniques

c. Terrorist/criminal intelligence updates and team safety

d. Certification exam (conducted by a certified detector canine handler examiner)

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.