ASCT issues two levels of trainer certification: Intrinsic Trainer
and Master Trainer.
TRAINER
An intrinsic trainer, or simply trainer, is an entry level departmental, agency, group, or private trainer who is
responsible for the maintaining and performance of a group of K9 teams. The trainer is responsible for general training, basic
development, and overall K9 supervision. The trainer reports to administration or a board of volunteers, if private. The trainer
is often, also a handler.
An ASCT trainer is certified to develop, supervise, and assist K9's but needs a certified instructor to complete handling
classes and exams.
Certification
Requirements for Trainer:
1.
A trainer candidate must meet all Master Handler Qualifications before being considered for trainer certification.
2.
Provide documentation of having trained a minimum of one canine, certified for any form of scent detection or other
area of work, applicable to the specialty the candidate seeks. This requirement can be waived if the records for #3 below,
reflect a more difficult level of training or double the minimum.
3. Supply documentation of assistance in increasing the training performance,
or adding areas of certification, to at minimum of 3 already certified K9's (own or other).
4. Provide a minimum of two references from certified
handlers or other professionals, regarding training performance, safety, and accountability.
5. Provide certificates or transcripts of having
completed the following courses: advanced olfactory, liability reduction, advanced scent detection (per area of certification)
and leadership/supervision/instruction course.
6. Must have a report of witnessed performances and recommendation from
a law enforcement administrator, another K9 trainer, prosecutor, or ASCT certified Instructor.
MASTER TRAINER
A master trainer is an advanced
level trainer who may be private or employed by an agency or company. A master trainer is often also a handler but always
has supervision roles regarding K9. The police K9, master trainer is firmly backed by the certification organization for the
training of dogs for all dual purpose capabilities of law enforcement: detection, patrol, tracking. Further, the master
trainer typically has a specialty area of concentration.
A master trainer for specialty areas such as explosives detection, human remains,
and search and rescue, are typically training experts within the specific discipline. ASCT supports master trainers in all
aspects of training, per the qualification, of canines for distribution, sale, development, and maintenance.
Unlike intrinsic trainers, master trainers
are certified to teach handling courses and issue instruction. Master trainers may issue certification exams to any
K9 teams, including their own supervised teams, providing the K9 team also gains a qualification check by an instructor.
MASTER TRAINERS CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Master trainer candidate must provide ample documentation of having successfully
trained and certified multiple canines for one or more specialties.
2. Supply a personal standard operating procedure or by-law and a safety policy.
3. Provide tho letters of recommendation from
different law enforcement agencies or, in the case of SAR/HRD, letters from professionals of the service industry.
4. Show documented ability of instructing basic
handlers, providing legal support, and problem solving for general canine operations and direct specialty of choice.
5. Candidate must have successfully completed
the following collegiate level class and exam: Technical Narcotic, Explosives or HRD, Technical Tracking, Advanced Patrol
Techniques, Mentor Leadership, Canine Behavioral Neurobiology I, Olfactory Development, and Unit Survival for Armed Encounters,
and Court Testimony for K9.
HRD candidate may replace advanced patrol techniques with Advanced
HRD.
6. Provide
recommendation of two, organizational certified instructors; one must be a certification board representative.
