What kind of Certifications are offered by the USPCA?  

The USPCA Offers several different types of certifications.   Listed below,  are the types of certifications we have available to you!  

DETECTION CERTIFICATIONS 

Narcotics - odors tested include marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and derivatives. Three rooms, five cars.
Explosives - odors tested are listed in the rules. Odor recognition test, three rooms, five cars, 15 packages/parcels
                     * Optional endorsement for Crowd Screening
Cadaver - odors tested include odors over 30 days and odors under 30 days old. Aged blood, body fluids, aged bone and tissue.
Contraband - Cellphones/cellphone batteries, thumb drives, sim cards, tobacco, cigarettes, suboxone or similar opioid medication. Cell & general area search.
Game/Wildlife - Any warm or cold blooded wild game specific to the teams testing, fish, mussels or aquatic type. Rooms and vehicles.
Firearms - unloaded firearms to include shotguns, pistols or rifles. Live and expended ammunition. Vehicles, rooms and outdoor searches.
Concealed human/human trafficking - Human odor only. Outdoor search, building search and vehicle search.
Evidence detection - see Patrol certifications

TRACKING CERTIFICATIONS

Tracking - Basic test -  three legs,  approximately 150-300 yards in length with three articles and an end find.   Cross contamination. 
Tracking - Exceptional test -   five legs,  with a total length of approximately 1/2 to 1 mile.   Two cross tracks,  multiple surfaces.  

PATROL CERTIFICATIONS

Patrol Dog I (PDI) - Obedience to include off lead healing,  distance control with hand/voice commands and walking commands/control.    

                                    Article/Evidence recovery -  locating evidence hidden in grass with a passive alert,  or hand delivery.   

                                    Human Scent -  Scent discrimination,  locating hidden suspect who moves from location to location. 

                                     Criminal Apprehension -  Apprehend a running suspect,  hold suspect and release on command.   Includes recall,  gunfire and handler protection. 

Evidence Detection Dog (EDD) -   Obedience to include off lead healing,  distance control with hand/voice commands and walking commands/control.   

                                                          Article/Evidence recovery -  locating evidence hidden in grass with a passive alert,  or hand delivery. 

Temporary Patrol Dog Testing -  Obedience to include off lead healing,  commands while walking and distance control.  

                                                         Article/Evidence recovery -   Locating evidence hidden in grass with a passive alert,  or hand delivery. 

                                                         Human Scent - Locating hidden suspect by scent who is not visible within the USPCA Box search layout,  or a building. 

                                                          Criminal Apprehension - Apprehend a running suspect,  hold suspect and release on command.   Includes recall.  

LE THERAPY DOG CERTIFICATION

Therapy Dog testing -    Evaluate the Police Service Therapy K9 and handler for teams that work within a LE capacity for LE officers and special members. 

The USPCA is proud of our testing process.  We use multiple evaluators (three or five) and a point system so that you have a much better idea of the skill level of you and your partner.    We do have a couple areas where we use pass/fail,  but in general,  our Association believes the team gets a better evaluation with a point system.    Our tests are also evolving to fit the ever changing landscape of police K9 in law enforcement.   

For more information on these tests,  please contact Secretary Ruopp or Executive Director Don Slavik.