The aim of the course is to provide the client with specialist drugs search dogs. It will normally be dedicated to either passive (non invasive) or non-passive dogs, although a combined course can be provided if required. Both passive and non-passive teams will be able to demonstrate the following:
• Keenness to search and indicate the scent of specific substances and/or a cocktail of substances
• High drive to search for scent in an open or closed area, buildings and vehicles
• Indicate a substance either on a person or in property by lying or sitting in front of it - the dog should not interfere with it
• An ability to quarter and work an area in an efficient and methodical manner with the dog
• An understanding of how scent works in both open and closed areas
• And understanding of the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as laid out by the OIC (officer in charge) The handler should ideally hold a minimum rank of sergeant and would typically work a GPD (General Purpose Dog) as well as a specialist dog.
The AES dog provides a quick, mobile, and versatile aid to search operations. Unaffected by CS Gas when used in vapour smoke and not distracted by strong smelling compounds such as petrol or disinfectants, the dog can reduce time spent in a search, and work in confined spaces. It can detect metallic and non-metallic devices.
A passive AES handler & Dog team will be able to demonstrate the following:
• Keenness to search and indicate the scent of specific metallic and non-metallic devices including ammunition, weapons, explosives, and articles foreign to the area being searched
• Recognise booby traps, weapons, and explosives common to terrorists • Quarter and work an area in an efficient and methodical manner
• The handler will demonstrate an understanding of how scent works in an open and closed area, including buildings, vehicles, aircraft, trains, and boats.
• Complete a route clearance
• Ability to organise and work as part of a team with the unit.
• Understanding of the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as laid out by the OIC (Officer In Charge) The handler should ideally hold a minimum rank of sergeant and would typically work a GPD (General Purpose Dog) as well as a specialist dog.
In the event of having to intervene in a situation of civil unrest, it should ideally be met with minimum force - the aim being to improve the situation or, at the very least, contain it rather than inflaming it further. A trained dog team can play a valuable and even major role in meeting this requirement.
A typical Public Order Unit would consist of the following:
• One team leader
• Six public order dog and handler teams
• Two reserve handlers
• One reserve dog
The teams will be trained to rapidly deploy from any vehicle or aircraft and be on standby to go into any hostile situation at a moments notice.
Completion of the course would result in the following:
• Training of both dogs and handlers to a level of fitness and control required for a public order unit
• And understanding of dog welfare and first aid as require for a unit of this purpose
• Manwork / handler protection
• Public order tactics (open areas and buildings)
• Deployment tactics (buildings, vehicles, and aircraft)
• Working successfully as part of the military / police unit
Working as part of an elite specialist insertion unit, the tactical firearms support dog and handler are a formidable team. The TFS dog will be able to offer valuable support to the rest of the firearms unit and will be able to deal with any intense and potentially dangerous situation. Trained to an exceptionally high standard, having completed initial and advanced courses, the team would then go on to have extensive knowledge of firearms tactics and on completion of an additional course, the dog and handler will have achieved the following:
• Send away from cover to a building opening
• Initial search of a building from a doorway
• Methodical and tactical search of a building with firearms team
• Send away along a corridor to a static position
• Send away from cover to do an exterior vehicle search
• Send away from cover to an internal vehicle search
• Attack from cover on non-compliant suspect
• Attack from cover on a fleeing suspect
• Lowering from a roofed area
• Comprehensive understanding of firearms tactics
