Basic Patrol K-9 Academy

(6 to 8 weeks)

Course Goals:

To provide 240-320 hours of intensive training for law enforcement personnel and their canine partners. The training will be in the areas of handling, safe deployment and care of the Police Canine. Upon successful completion of the certification by the OPCA, the certified team should be able to safely and operationally handle a police canine to assist in law enforcement endeavors.

Course Length:

The length of this course may be extended at the discretion of the instructor or a unit’s supervisor. Reasons for extension may include, but are not limited to:

· Illness or injury to the handler or dog

· Training goals are not met

· Dog or handler replacement

Successful Completions:

Teams that successfully complete the Basic Academy will be tested and certified by an OPCA Training other than the instructor. Successful teams will be issued a certification by that OPCA trainer and deemed certified by the OPCA for a period of 1 year.

Course Content:

Handlers will receive practical and theoretical instruction in;

(not limited to and not in order of importance)

· Canine psychology

· Canine learning process

· Canine behavior

· Canine abilities

· Veterinary care

· Health care and feeding

· History of dogs, and use in law enforcement

· History of specific breeds

· Police K9 equipment and proper use

· Training safety

· Preparing and maintaining training reports

· Legal parameters

· Civil liability/related court cases

· Vicarious Liability

· Deployment report writing and Unit Stat forms

· Use of force issues/Department Policies

· Various training methods and techniques

· Problem solving/training

· Identifying changes in behavior in your dog

· Specific dog issues, strengths vs weak areas

· Officer safety tactics during deployments

· Handling procedures; searches, custodies, ect.

· Human/Handler psychology- Ego as a helper and hindrance

· Working with outside agencies

· Working with cover officers

· Special Operations; SWAT, Detectives, etc.

· Search techniques

· Suspect behavior

· Deployment considerations

· Proper care of canine equipment

· Odor and scent concepts

*Curriculum available upon request. Contact East Metro K-9 Services for pricing.

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