The Government’s
National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) conducted a review of the use of specialist sniffer dogs in 2009 and later produced a report. Their conclusion was that specialist victim recovery dogs were not trained to approved standards, with no way of gauging their competence.
"There is no consistency in what the dogs can do and how it is done," the report stated.
"Furthermore, there is no national standard for accrediting dogs and handlers or record keeping of the success rate they achieve."
The report added the dogs, which are trained to detect the smell of dead bodies, have "the potential to cause complications in an inquiry".
"There is an urgent need to have national policy on their training, accreditation and deployment," it concluded.
In March 2011 the Association of Chief Police Officers working group produced a Manual of Guidance. It provided up to date guidance on the selection of handlers, the training, kennelling and welfare of police dogs, as well as the equipment that was approved for use in both the training and operational environment. It was based on guidance then available from professionals within the Police Service, as well as support and advice from partner agencies where appropriate.
In December 2011 it was announced that the NPIA would be wound down and its functions transferred to the Home Office and other police organisations.
Attached below > A pdf copy of the ACPO dog manual can be downloaded.
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