Patrol/Apprehension K9 Certification Standard

Purpose

This standard establishes performance criteria for law-enforcement patrol K-9 teams (handler plus K9) in the discipline of apprehension—i.e., use of the K9 to locate, engage (if required), and take a subject into custody—consistent with APDA and recognized law-enforcement canine best practices. The test ensures proficiency, safe deployment, handler control, and legal/ethical use.

Scope

This standard applies to K9 teams employed or assigned by a law-enforcement agency, trained and certified for patrol/apprehension duties. The certification covers:

Obedience/control of the K9 by the handler in on- and off-leash environments.
Search for a suspect (building, grounds, open area) if relevant.
Pursuit and apprehension of a “subject” (decoy or agitator) under controlled conditions.
Demonstration of handler control, call-off/release procedures, and adherence to use-of-force/legal guidelines.

Certification Pre-Requisites

Handler has completed agency-approved patrol K9 handler course.
K9 has completed accredited patrol/apprehension K9 training program.
K9 and handler must demonstrate obedience on and off leash prior to testing.

Testing Components

The certification test consists of three primary phases (all pass/fail):

The handler demonstrates control of the K9 both on leash and off leash (if applicable) in a variety of paces and turns, with the K9 responding to commands consistently (heel, sit/down, stay, recall).
The K9 must accept reasonable job-related distractions.
Each exercise must be completed under the direction of the APDA Evaluator.

1. Obedience/Control Phase

2. Search/Locate Phase (if applicable)

The K9 team locates a “suspect” hiding (building and/or open area search) under simulated operational conditions, with the handler directing and controlling the search.
The K9 locates the suspect and alerts/indicates in the manner previously trained (e.g., barking).

3. Apprehension Phase

This phase involves a series of scenarios to include: a friendly greeting; friendly greeting with attack on handler; distance apprehension with "out" and a recall; stand off/call off; re-engage following call off scenario; search & call-by; search with/without attack on handler based on dog’s performance; and escort with/without attack on handler based on dog’s performance.
The K9 must demonstrate effective pursuit and completion of apprehension (contact, hold), and the handler must demonstrate an effective “out" command while the K9 is actively engaging with the suspect.
The scenario must represent a use-of-force context and must be documented and evaluated accordingly.
Each phase will be explained to the handler by the APDA evaluator prior to beginning each phase.

Performance Criteria & Certification Requirements

The K9 team must pass all three phases (Obedience, building search, and Apprehension) under supervised test conditions.
During the Apprehension phase:
- The handler and K9 must effectively initiate pursuit and engage the subject with minimal handler interference.
- The K9 must engage and hold the subject until the handler indicates release.
- The handler must demonstrate a timely and decisive “out” command, and the K9 must respond within 2 seconds. The handler is allowed to recommand the K9 2 times prior to a required restart. Only 1 restart is permitted.
- No improper or unsafe K9 handling, no unnecessary force beyond the training scenario.
The handler must demonstrate verbal/judgment skills consistent with use-of-force laws and department policy (including decision to deploy K9, ability to cease deployment if subject surrenders, etc.).
These scenarios will be conducted in a closed and secure environment to ensure safety of all participants.

Evaluation & Documentation

The APDA evaluator will act as certifying authority.
The evaluation will be recorded on a standardized form capturing:
- Date, location, environmental conditions
- Equipment used
- Handler and K9 team names
- Results of each phase (Pass/Fail, comments)
- Observed issues or deficiencies (e.g., delayed call off, excessive handler interference)
- Final certification decision
All results must be retained in the team’s training and operational records.