1. (1) A police service canine candidate seeking to become certified shall successfully demonstrate the following behaviors during a certification test administered by POST or a qualifying canine certifying entity:

   1. (a) yard-to-yard search for subjects, on-leash and off-leash;
   2. (b) building search for subjects, on-leash and off-leash, to ensure barking indication at doors or inaccessible hiding spots;
   3. (c) open area search for subjects, on-leash and off-leash;
   4. (d) open area pursuit and capture in which a subject refuses to surrender and physically engages with the canine followed by release after receiving a verbal release command at the earliest reasonable opportunity;
   5. (e) open area pursuit and capture of a subject who surrenders prior to physical contact by the pursuing canine by use of a verbal command, such that the surrendering subject is not injured;
   6. (f) wind scenting or scouting, on-leash and off-leash, exhibited by a non-barking indication;
   7. (g) release of a subject after receiving a verbal release command at the earliest reasonable opportunity during any type of physical engagement, with a maximum of three commands to obey; and
   8. (h) gun-sure, or remaining on task during gunfire, to ensure a neutral response to handler gunfire, backup officer gunfire, or suspect gunfire.

2. (2) It is recommended that a police service canine candidate demonstrate the following behaviors during a certification test administered by POST or any qualifying canine certifying entity:

   1. (a) tracking to include footstep-to-footstep, street-tracking, or trailing; and
   2. (b) evidence search, on-leash and off-leash, to ensure non-contaminating evidence indication.

KEY: canine, standards, training, certification

Date of Last Change: May 20, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53-6-102; 53-6-401; 53-6-402; 53-6-403; 76-9-306