ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

On 11 May 2001 the Private Security Industry Act received Royal Assent. Within the Act there's only the merest mention of the Security Dog Handler. Meetings were subsequently held with various organisations and individuals, including the Joint Security Industry Council and the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Indeed, at the time the latter's Implementation Team stated: "We understand that dog trainers in the private security sector provide training of a very high standard, which is just as acceptable to us as the training of ACPO trainers themselves."

Of course, the SIA is currently reviewing a wide range of security-based training that's available throughout England and Wales, and will in due course be looking at the appropriate competencies for dog handlers. "Until that time," stated the Government body, "the SIA will not be suggesting that any specific training supplier for dog handlers be considered superior to any other." It was clear, then, that there were no formal guidelines for a security dog company or individual to follow.

On 11 April this year came the conception of the National Forum of Professional Dog Users (NFPDU). This followed in the wake of meetings with attendees from organisations such as the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (BIPDT), NASDU (the National Association of Security Dog Users), the police and private K9 security companies.

These meetings highlighted the overriding need for an organisation which caters for the security dog handler, and harbours the ability to monitor the progress of both dog and handler – a key issue which, nonetheless, certain organisations in attendance believed to be impossible.

Traditionally, the National Security Inspectorate has not – and indeed will not – inspect the standards of security dog companies and individuals, hence the birth of the National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users (NTIPDU).

We believe that, with the knowledge and experience of the directors and input from companies and individuals alike, the NTIPDU can and will promote the professionalism, training and operational standards of the security dog user.

No insurance, no contract
Under the guidance and strict control of our trainers and instructors, who are experienced in their own fields (patrol dog, explosive dog, etc and have received training from our own trainer trainers), there are several practices which we'd like to 'kick into touch', so to speak.

For example, we want to put a stop to the practice of untrained dogs and handlers taking part in large events without the benefit of insurance cover, and therefore placing members of the public at risk.

We also want to end the 'tactic' of dog handlers (and, it must be said, security officers) placing the keys to clients' premises under milk bottles and slabs just for their convenience.

The issue of overcharging and re-charging trainees who wish to work in this sector of the profession must also be questioned.

All trainees must have passed security screening to and beyond BS 7858, have received basic security officer training to BS 7499 (resulting in either a SITO or IPSA qualification) and be in possession of public liability insurance, which – rest assu

Level playing field for trainers
The NTIPDU has set a level playing field across England and Wales, allowing potential trainers the chance to train and qualify at one cost wherever they may be.

A factor of the cost involved is unavoidable due to the strict criteria set by the NTIPDU. All trainees must have passed security screening to and beyond BS 7858, have received basic security officer training to BS 7499 (resulting in either a SITO or IPSA qualification) and be in possession of public liability insurance, which will be inspected.

The training methods used by the NTIPDU are many and varied. As is the case with individual officers, dogs learn individually. The past has seen both dogs and handlers trained to one specific method, resulting in potentially large numbers of able handlers and dogs being placed on the proverbial 'scrap heap'.

The practices of the NTIPDU have been trialled for the past four months, resulting in tremendous success levels upon which we can (and will) build. Since the NTIPDU started, existing trainers, instructors and dog handlers from all over the UK have shown an overwhelming response to the qualification devised by the organisation's directors – myself, Richard Timmis, John Humphris and Wayne Barker (all of us having worked in the industry at different levels and boasting hands-on experience).

Intensive training is the key
The accreditation has been devised to be attainable, inexpensive and understandable, incorporating special methods and training aids. In addition, the course is designed to enable the trainee to be working as a dog handler within the shortest possible timeframe. This allows companies and individuals to undertake assignments without the need for expensive agency employees.

It must also be stressed that handlers and dogs will be monitored throughout their career in the industry by way of continual training and annual accreditation.

Each NTIPDU trainer/instructor has undergone a refresher course at one of our national centres, which are inspected on a regular basis by the directors at no additional cost to ensure nationwide conformity (including the possession of professional indemnity cover). This enhances the training of all new handlers. Once trained, the NTIPDU handler enjoys the necessary support from the Inspectorate itself, the trainers and instructors.

Within its resources, the NTIPDU has the ability to provide a 'pool' of trained dogs to its members should their own dogs be unable to continue working for any reason, thus enabling handlers to continue with their employment.