CANINE LEGAL UPDATE AND OPINIONS
FOR SUPERVISORS AND ADMINISTRATORS

CALIFORNIA STATE PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING K-9 TEAM EVALUATOR’S COURSE: (8 hours)

Objectives:
1) Train the student how to evaluate a canine team’s performance under POST guidelines.
2) Train the student how to interpret and apply a reasonable and uniform evaluation of the standards set forth in the POST guidelines.

Expanded course outline:
I. Introduction:
A. Objectives
B. Overview of course
C. Review POST K-9 Team Guidelines
II. Demonstration:
A. Demonstrate a canine team completing scenarios that meet the guidelines
B. May use approved video demonstrations
III. Scenarios:
A. Equipment
1. Use actual field equipment deployed by agency being evaluated throughout the
testing process
a. Dog
b. Handler
c. Training
B. Use of agitator/assistants
1. Agency being tested will provide assistants and/or agitators to work under
direction of the evaluator
2. Evaluator to provide clear directions
C. Site selection
1. Select area conducive to testing
2. Tested agency selects site, subject to approval of evaluator
D. Reasonable test conditions
1. All testing scenarios should be designed to reasonable working conditions
2. Extreme testing situations should be avoided
E. Safety considerations
1. Apply POST Specific Safety Policy for canine training
IV. Uniform application of standards:
A. Definition of terms
1. See glossary
B. POST voluntary guidelines
1. These are NOT the evaluator’s guidelines
V. Local considerations:
A. Prior to testing
1. The evaluator should become familiar with the agency’s policies, procedures
and standards
2. The evaluator should know, prior to testing, what field equipment is normally
used by the agency.
B. During the evaluation process
1. The evaluator should make reasonable accommodations to the agency tested
without deviating from POST guidelines
2. Test only those topics within the guidelines that are applicable to the agency
being evaluated.
VI. Testing:
A. How to use the scenarios
1. Refer to “Suggested Canine Team Testing Scenarios”
B. Evaluator’s discretion
1. Minor mistakes
2. Second command
C. Failure of test
1. Must wait at least 24 hours before re-testing
2. Test only the major topic failed
3. Failure of any required portion of the narcotics test mandates a complete retest.
VII. Evaluation forms:
A. How to use forms
B. Use comments section only if there is failure
1. Write brief comments
2. Avoid training recommendations
C. Signed evaluation forms are to be left with the agency being evaluated
D. Indicate on the evaluation form the type of agency equipment used during the testing process
VIII. Reasonable application of POST Guidelines:
A. DO NOT dictate agency policy
B. Work with agency policy

GLOSSARY (Definition of terms):

TRAINER:
Current trainer of canine team designated by employing agency.

TOPICS:
Limited to headings of Obedience, Search, Apprehension, Handler Protection and Narcotics search.

HANDLER:
The person that deploys the dog as part of the canine team.

ALERT:
A recognized signal from the dog to the handler.

CALL OFF:
A voice, hand or combination command, from handler to dog, which results in the dog ceasing an activity.

FIELD EQUIPMENT:
That equipment used by the dog or handler while performing their normal duties.

CONDITIONED RESPONSE:
An aggressive, defensive, or protective action initiated by the dog without command by the handler.

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