American
Police Dog Tactics Association
"Real Training for the Real World"
Mission Statement
Effective K-9 teams are an invaluable asset to Law Enforcement, Search & Rescue and Private Companies across the country. Establishing and maintaining a reliable canine team requires that training and certifications be as realistic as the day-to-day operations we expect our teams to complete. When you are trying to apprehend an armed suspect or detect an explosive device prior to a large event is not the time to say “I wonder what my K-9 will do”. The goal of the American Police Dog Tactics Association is to provide realistic, life-like training and certification programs to give you the confidence needed to work your canine on the streets where events are not staged, sterile and unrealistic.
Scenario-Based Certifications - An Introduction
The American Police Dog Tactics Association strives to deliver the most realistic training an certification programs available. Scenario-based certifications are quite different than most other certification programs. Scenario based certifications are just that; A life-like scenario where the handler will be required to make judgements based on the facts given to him and to direct his canine partner to respond appropriately. These certifications will not take place on a trial field, but in a realistic environment where canine teams work every day. During a typical scenario based certification, you as the handler will be given a certain set of facts about a situation, much like you would in real life. You will then take those facts and handle the scenario in the best way that you can, with the equipment and resources available to you. As the scenario unfolds before you, those facts and circumstances are likely to change or be different than what you initially expected. Therefore, you will be required to alter your course of action to complete the scenario.
A majority of the scenarios that will be presented during training and certifications will be taken from real life. Events from across the country and the world where canine teams where utilized are studied and then presented in certifications. The main goal of any training or certification presented by the American Police Dog Tactics Association is to maintain realism so that handlers are better prepared for what they are likely to encounter on the street.
Scenario-Based Certifications - Why Are They Important?
As a canine handler or administrator you may ask why is a scenario-based certification important to me and my department. There are many certification programs throughout the country and they all have their merits. However, scenario-based training is the only effective method of determining if a canine team is going to be safe and effective in the field. Unlike certifications that are the same each time, real-life certifications are different and constantly evolving scenarios. This tests the skills of both the dog and handler, unlike other certifications that only judge the performance of the dog.
Certification Standards
Certification programs will be a pass/fail evaluation based on a points system. All certification programs are valid for one year from the date completed. If a new handler is assigned to the team, the certification is no longer valid. The American Police Dog Tactics Association Offers Certification Programs in the Following:
Human Remains Detection Dog Team
Search and Rescue Dog Team
