SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE k-9 ASSOCIATION

Controlled Apprehension

          This test is to determine if the canine is capable of performing exercises encountered by the police handler and his/her dog under simulated situations encountered while working.  The test is designed to test the canine’s ability, proficiency and courage, and the handler’s total control of his/her dog.

          There are four (4) phases of this test.  The canine and handler will be tested in all phases in the order as determined by the certifying official.  Each phase is tested on a pass/fail basis and must be passed before proceeding to the next phase.

            There are options for equipment utilized during the test.  Prior to the test the certifying official and suspect must approve of the option utilized, inspect and approve all equipment used.  Hidden, concealed protective gear will be worn by the suspect.  This equipment is to be completely concealed by clothing so as to provide no visual cue to the dog as to it’s existence or location or a visible colored (other than jute color) full protective aggression suit may be used.  In the event of any safety issue raised by the suspect, handler or certifying official, the certifying official has the discretion to mandate the use of a protective aggression suit described above.

            The type of lead used by the handler will be at his/her discretion, but will not be over six (6) feet long.  Each phase shall be completed off lead unless specified otherwise.

            Guns will be cleared of live ammunition and handlers will have no live ammunition on their person. Gun fire will be with blanks and will be checked by a certifying official or an appointed safety officer prior to the phase.

            Whenever possible, the suspect will be unknown to the canine.  The suspects may be other handlers being tested or volunteers with the approval of the certifying official, or in some cases the certifying official themselves.

          In the phases requiring the canine to physically apprehend the suspect, the canine must fully engage and hold/fight the suspect.  Failure to engage or excessive, unnecessary mouthing and readjusting of the apprehension are grounds for failure.

          In the phases requiring the canine to stop his pursuit and apprehension of the suspect, the handler may use any command or series of commands to control the dog.  The handler will inform the certifying official prior to testing as to the command sequence used.  Failure of the dog to release and/or to respond to obedience commands in a timely manner is grounds for failure.

          The handler must demonstrate sound tactics during all phases of the test.  When a search of the suspect is called for the handler must demonstrate a safe approach, simulate handcuffing and thoroughly search the suspect for weapons.

          Only the phases and exercises listed/described are required for successful completion of this test.  The order of the phases and the exercises performed at the desecration of the certifying official. This certification must be passed before attempting a building search or area search certification.

Phase 1: Control Work- (Present the sleeve shake-hands, False Run)

        The canine will begin this phase from the heel position. The suspect will approach the canine team in a friendly manner and stop to shake hands with the handler, after the brief shaking of hands the suspect will turn and walk away to his starting point. Then the suspect will walk briskly towards the canine team stop and turn and jog away.  The distance to approach the canine team and stop will be at a reasonable distance of the Certifying Officials discretion.

PHASE 2:  Termination of Chase (Recall)

          The canine will begin this phase from the heel position or the police unit. The suspect will begin at a distance no less than twenty (20) feet or more then fifty (50) feet from the canine team. At the direction of the certifying official, the suspect will run away from the team in any direction.  The certifying official will inform the handler when to send their dog.  The suspect will stop and surrender terminating the pursuit when instructed by the certifying official.

          The type of call off used is at the handler’s discretion, but the certifying official must be informed of the type to be used prior to the test.  It may be one of the following:

          1.)  Canine is recalled to the heel position.

          2.)  Canine is commanded to the down, sit or stand position and the handler will join their canine.

          3.)  Canine is commanded to the down, sit or stand position and then recalled by the handler to the heel position.

          The importance of this test is that the suspect is not mouthed, nipped or bitten by the canine regardless of the type of call off used and that the K-9 precede at least 60% of the distance to the suspect.  Non aggressive incidental contact made by the canine while attempting to respond to the call off is not faulty.  This phase will be complete when the canine is in the heel position with the handler.

PHASE 3:  Short Chase with Gun Fire

        The canine will begin this phase from the heel position or the police unit.  The suspect carrying a blank firing weapon loaded with blanks will start at a distance of thirty (30) to fifty (50) feet from the canine team. The suspect will run away and once the canine is in pursuit the suspect will fire a minimum of two shots. The canine will apprehend and hold the suspect and the suspect will fire one (1) more round away from the canine. Upon the handler’s arrival at the location of the canine and suspect and at the direction of the certifying official, the handler will order the suspect to drop the weapon and then command the canine to release and call off as described in phase two (2).  This phase is complete when the canine is returned to the heel position with the handler.

PHASE 4:  Handler Protection From or Next to a Vehicle

          The canine and handler in or next to a stationary vehicle will order the suspect approach to them.   The handler then orders the suspect to an appropriate position approaches the suspect and then simulates handcuffing the suspect.  The suspect then simulates assaulting the handler.  The dog will apprehend and hold the suspect.  At the direction of the certifying official, the handler will command the dog to release and call off as described in phase one.  The handler then orders the suspect to an appropriate position approaches the suspect and then simulates handcuffing the suspect.  The handler then searches the suspect for weapons and escorts the suspect for at least twenty (20) feet. No additional assault of the handler is to take place.  The handler will return to the K9 and assume on lead control ending the test

        All tests given the K9 team will be on a pass/fail basis.  The certifying official will determine if the team will be certified upon the completion of the test.  The handler and canine will be considered as a team and it is the team who will be certified.  If the canine changes handlers, a new team exists and the team will need to be certified. 

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Last modified: 05/30/07