In-Service Training – K-9 Program
General Information:
The K-9 Program provides training and POST certification for Patrol, Narcotics, Cadaver, Explosives, SWAT, Search/Rescue, or Tracking/Trailing Dogs. Training and certification standards are Reality -Based. Handlers, Instructors, and Judges are trained simultaneously within each scheduled course. Handler, Instructor, or Judge certifications are offered. Courses are 8 weeks duration. Dormitory rooms and an on-site kennel are available. No tuition is required for Utah officers. Out-of-state officers pay a fee of $2,175.00 per course.
Course Dates:
Patrol Dog: 22 January 2024 -14 March 2024: 22 July 2024 – 12 September 2024
Detector Dog: 29 April- 20 June 2024: 21 October 2024 – 12 December 2024 Tracking class 20 March TBA
K9 Manger Class January 17-18, 2024 Location: Utah POST Sandy, Utah
Contact Sgt. Art Lopez to register for class
NEW! K-9 Unit Manager: Now on CD as a Home-Study Course
you may email a request to receive a CD to complete the course
Registration:
Click on the the Inquiry-Registration Packet link below or Contact Sgt. Art Lopez via email at artlopez@utah.gov or cell phone 801-209-5790.
The above link will take you to the course information/enrollment packet.
.
*** K-9 Program Frequently Asked Questions ***
The above link will take you to a page which answers frequently asked questions.
Additional Information:
Listed below is additional information. The details and links provide clarification for training protocols, certification standards and various documentation for each of the K-9 disciplines at Utah POST.
Patrol Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. During Patrol Dog training either or both of the two most common K-9 “capture” philosophies, FIND/BITE and FIND/BARK, may be taught (at the Handler’s option) to the same dog. The POST K-9 Program also teaches the DISENGAGE (shut-down) behavior to all Patrol Dogs, offering a “fail-safe” option in exigent circumstances. K-9 skills taught include: tracking/trailing of suspects/victims, criminal evidence recovery with a passive indication that does not contaminate the evidentiary value, obedience/agility and criminal apprehension. Dogs are also taught to discriminate between a fleeing or hostile suspect and a surrendering or innocent person.
Patrol Dog Certification Standards
Patrol Dog – Handler Control Grade Sheets
Drug Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Drug Dog training protocol channels the K-9’s natural drives such that the K-9 perceives it is hunting simulated prey odors. K-9’s are also trained to bypass non-drug odors. This process creates highly-motivated dogs that exercise sensitivity and discrimination of drug odors. Since the creation of the K-9 Program, over 24 billion dollars of illegal drugs have been seized by Utah POST K-9 graduates.
Narco Dog Certification Standards
Narco Dog 2019 Certification Gradesheet
Cadaver Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Cadaver Dog training protocol channels the K-9’s natural drives such that the K-9 perceives it is hunting simulated prey odors. K-9’s are likewise trained to bypass non-human decomposed flesh. This process creates highly-motivated dogs that exercise extreme sensitivity and discrimination of decomposed human flesh odors. Cadaver Dogs are deployed primarily in homicide investigations to find decomposed human tissue odor.
Cadaver Dog Certification Standards
Cadaver Dog Certification Grade Sheets
Bomb Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Bomb Dog training protocol channels the K-9’s natural drives such that the K-9 perceives it is hunting simulated prey odors. This process creates highly-motivated K-9’s that exercise extreme sensitivity and discrimination of explosive odors. Bomb Dogs are deployed primarily for venue security during VIP visits or during bomb threats.
Bomb Dog Certification Standards
Bomb Dog Certification Grade Sheets
SWAT Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The SWAT Dog training protocol channels the K-9’s natural drives such that the K-9 perceives it is functioning in a “pack” environment. This process creates highly-motivated K-9’s that are mentally-stable, yet highly-intense in the extremely fluid and unpredictable situations a SWAT Team encounters. SWAT Dogs are deployed primarily during incidents which have escalated to a point that conventional law enforcement practices are not sufficient to resolve the problem.
SWAT Dog Certification Standards
SWAT Dog Certification Grade Sheets
Search & Rescue Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Search and Rescue Dog training protocol channels the K-9’s natural drives such that the K-9 perceives it is searching for a person who has its favorite toy. This process creates highly-motivated dogs that work intensely, even in unstable environments or when fatigued. Search and Rescue Dogs are deployed primarily in disaster situations or for finding lost persons.
PSAR Dog Certification Standards
PSAR Dog Certification Grade Sheets
Wildlife Detector Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Wildlife Detector Dog (a.k.a. Game Dog) is a unique Detector Dog comparable in skill to a Drug Dog or Bomb Dog, with the exception that it focuses on animal odors chosen by the respective Agency. Examples are Deer, Elk, Game Birds, etc. Wildlife Detector Dogs are deployed primarily for Wildlife Management investigations or exotic animal smuggling.
Game Dog Certification Standards
Game Dog Certification Grade Sheets
Tracking Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Tracking Dog variety of K-9 is sometimes referred to as a “Footstep Detector Dog” since it focuses on finding footsteps (ground disturbance) and not human odor. This produces highly-focused dogs that follow the exact path of a person, whether a lost victim or a criminal. Tracking Dogs are deployed primarily in investigations where the exact path of a person is critical to determine.
Police Tracking Dog Certification Standards
Police Tracking Dog (PFH) Certification Grade Sheets
Trailing Dogs:
Handlers, Instructors and Judges are trained concurrently during this course, although only one skill level may be enrolled in at a time. The Trailing Dog variety of K-9 focuses on finding human odor along the path of a person’s movements. This produces highly-focused dogs that can rapidly locate a person, whether a lost victim or a criminal. Tracking Dogs are deployed primarily in investigations wherein the a person needs to be located as quickly as possible and the actual footstep route is not critical.
Police Trailing Dog Certification Standards
Police Trailing Dog Certification Grade Sheets
K-9 Handler:
A properly trained and certified K-9 Handler is the “operator” of a highly-trained extremely sensitive law enforcement tool. The US Supreme Court has said, “We are aware of no other investigative procedure that is so limited both in the manner in which the information is obtained and in the content of the information revealed by the procedure.” (United States v. Place, 462 U.S. 696 (1983). Tremendous responsibility and accountability rests upon the shoulders of K-9 Handlers of all disciplines. The POST K-9 Program employs Reality-Based training and Single-Blind certification to assure that Handler skills are suitable for this critical function of law enforcement. A Handler student must attend with a K-9.
K-9 Instructor:
An Instructor acquires specific knowledge and develops skills necessary to train K-9’s and Handlers from entry level to certification.
K-9 Judge:
The integrity of the Police K-9 profession rests upon the shoulders of its Judges. After intense scrutiny and evaluation, a K-9 Judge declares a K-9 and Handler to be streetworthy … if the skill-set is suitable. The K-9 Program offers extensive and detailed training to student Judges, providing the skills necessary to perform this critical function. The government certification a K-9 Judge receives from the K-9 Program is recognized nationally and internationally.