AMERICAN POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION

TRAINER ACCREDITATION

Members wishing to be accredited, as a Trainer of Police Work Dogs must conform to the following:                                                                                                                                  1.      Applicant must be a Regular Member in Good Standing of the APCA.                               

2.      The applicant must be a full time law enforcement officer who is either a K9 trainer or handler for his/her department for at least (2) years or equivalent; or is a retired law enforcement officer and was the department’s full time K9 trainer or handler for at least (2) years or equivalent; or was a law enforcement K9 officer for and is employed full time as the law enforcement agency’s K9 trainer for at least (2) years or equivalent. 

3.      The applicant must have a written letter of recommendation from at least two (2) APCA Master Trainers that hold accreditation in the areas he/she seeks to obtain.

4.      Applicant must have assisted and tested with an accredited APCA Master Trainer in a least four (4) accreditation tests where all phases that the applicant is applying for, have been tested.

5.      Dogs trained must be trained to the APCA testing standards.

6.      The applicant must send two (2) copies of his/her complete application package at least sixty-days (60) before the next meeting of the Accreditation Committee.   One (1) copy to the APCA Accreditation Committee Chairperson and one (1) copy to the Secretary.   The Chairperson and Secretary are to review these packages to see that all APCA requirements have been met.   If the package is not complete, the applicant will not be considered at the next accreditation committee meeting.   The application package will include:

a.       A current resume stating dates of his/her current employment, position, and job description.   Must include an account of his/her practical experience with working police dogs, their length of time as a handler and trainer, a list of dogs trained, and copies of applicable certificates.

b.      A signed waiver so employment can be verified.

c.       A letter of recommendation from at least two (2) Master Trainers (See # 3 above)

d.      All applicable critique sheets.

e.       A letter stating his/her reason for applying for the accreditation

f.        A copy of their training course (curriculum) he/she offers or assists within the training of police work dogs and a list of all K-9 teams trained by him/her, or at least of all K-9 teams, which they have assisted in training, whichever is applicable.

g.       Two (2) current photos of applicant. (1 submitted with each resume)

7.      Incomplete packages and packages not received postmarked by the deadline, will not be considered at the next meeting of the Accreditation Committee.   The Accreditation Committee Chairperson will return all incomplete packages with an explanation as to why they could not be considered.  They will then have to be resubmitted at a later date, after they have been completed.

8.      Applicants must pass a written and oral test before the Accreditation Committee.

9.      An accredited APCA Trainer may not certify a police work dog for accreditation.

10.  Upon initial accreditation as a Trainer, the applicant will serve a two (2) year probationary period.

11.  The Accreditation Committee has the authority to order a Trainer to appear before the accreditation committee board in response to any formal or informal complaint(s).   The Accreditation Committee also has the authority to temporarily suspend the Trainer’s privileges and rights until the Trainer appears before the Accreditation Committee or until a formal grievance is filed.   Said accreditation may be Removed or Revoked at any time by this Association for "Just Cause” after a full investigation and hearing is held by the American Police Canine Association Accreditation Committee.  Accreditation will be valid as long as the member remains in Good Standing and REMAINS ACTIVE.

12.  Normally, the Trainer will not have to appear before the Accreditation Committee in person to renew his/her status.   However, if for any reason the Accreditation Committee wishes to have the Trainer appear in person to discuss his/her renewal the Accreditation Committee Chairperson will have the authority to require the Trainer to appear before the committee in order to renew his/her status.   If the Trainer fails to appear, his/her status will not be renewed, and can be grounds to suspend or revoke his/her accreditation.

13.  An APCA Trainer applying for a new trainer accreditation in a phase(s) that he/she does not already have with the APCA must only do the following:

a.       Submit a letter of written request.  

b.      Submit a resume, including information of all trained/certified dogs in the discipline applying for.

c.       Submit a letter of recommendation from an APCA Master Trainer that holds accreditation(s) in the area he/she seeks to obtain.

d.      The applicant must submit his/her completed application package at least sixty-days (60) before the next meeting of the Accreditation Committee.

e.       Appear before the APCA Accreditation Committee for an oral/written interview process.

14.  A current resume update will be submitted in writing to the APCA Secretary, no later than January 31st of each year for Trainer renewal status.   Failure to do so may result in suspension of his/her accreditation.   It is the responsibility of the Trainer to confirm that the APCA Secretary as required received their updated resume.

15.  Classification of Trainers:
a. Police Utility Work Dogs
b. Police Narcotics Detection Dogs
c. Police Tracking/Trailing Dogs                                                                                           d. School Resource Dogs                                                                                                     e. Police Explosive Detection Dogs                                                                                        f. Cadaver Detector Dogs