Dogs Trained for Explosive Detection: A Matter of Proficiency or Risk?
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Having a well-trained explosives detection dog (EDD) on your side can be a game-changer in maintaining a secure environment for various sites, events, and premises. Here's a lowdown on how EDDs can be effectively integrated into your security arsenal, straight from a specialist at the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the UK's leading voice on protective security.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, it's crucial to follow best practices for EDD specification, implementation, and assurance. To tackle this, the NPSA, in collaboration with the Home Office and National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), introduced the National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme - Private Security Industry (NCTAS-P), a robust framework for private EDD teams.
So, if EDDs are part of your security plan, should you overlook accredited teams? The answer's a definite no!
Why EDDs Rock
Man's best friend not only offers unconditional love but also delivers incredible sniffing capabilities. EDDs have long been recognized for their phenomenal sense of smell, making them an essential tool for detecting a wide range of odors across various security applications.
EDDs are super versatile and can learn to detect a broad spectrum of odors rapidly. They can adapt to various scenarios and environments, and unlike many security technologies, they're easily transportable. Plus, they're an undeniable presence of reassurance for many, serving as a potent deterrent to those with malicious intentions.
Detractors may flag potential challenges in employing EDDs. However, comparable challenges apply to other security technologies, with the key being an understanding of the limitations and challenges in each case to manage them effectively.
Grappling with the explosives threat, which can present a wide array of materials with very different odors and emission levels, requires careful training of EDDs.
Handlers in the Driver's Seat
Indeed, while EDDs possess a remarkable sense of smell, they're not infallible. They can get tired, under the weather, or stake a claim to a game of chase for minimal effort. Fortunately, this is where skilled handlers come into play. Understanding their dog's behavior, reacting to subtle cues, and managing rest breaks effectively are crucial for optimal performance. For instance, pairing a dog with the same handler ensures a stronger bond and better outcome.
Operational Environments Matter
Due to the rarity of explosives threats in the UK, an EDD might regularly find trained odors during training sessions but seldom find one in real-life. Evidence from scientific studies suggests that if the dog can distinguish between the training and operational environments, their search and detection effectiveness can wane in the operational environment. Thus, implementing effective mitigations is essential.
Explosives detection dogs have long played a crucial role in counter-terrorism policing and law enforcement across the UK. However, their applications extend far beyond this realm, encompassing the protection of private properties, events, and sites.
As part of its mission to provide a palette of appropriate and effective protective security measures, the NPSA is committed to making EDD capability available to those responsible for securing sites, premises, and events.
London 2012 Olympics: A Real-life Example
During the London 2012 Olympics planning, security was a top priority. Given the potential threat of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), the need for some form of explosives detection capability to screen the multitude of complex and varied delivery vehicles entering the construction site was clear.
Given the high cost, space requirements, and potential delays associated with technology or visual inspections, EDD teams presented a viable, cost-effective alternative. While site security was the responsibility of private security, the concepts of 'proportionate' and 'effective' were key considerations for the complex security measures employed.
However, assuring the effectiveness of the contracted EDD teams was a challenge given the absence of a recognized private sector assurance scheme at that time. Police specialists designed and implemented an internal process to assure the London 2012 EDD teams, but this was not a scalable approach for the future.
Introducing NCTAS-P
In 2017, following several terrorist attacks, enhancing security at sites, premises, and events was high on the agenda. One solution identified was a government-endorsed accreditation scheme for private EDD service providers. The National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme - Private Security Industry (NCTAS-P) was conceived after extensive planning by the Home Office, NaCTSO, and NPSA, with consultation from private-sector stakeholders. Launched in March 2021, NCTAS-P supports the government's Counter Terrorism Strategy, CONTEST.
Differing from government EDD teams, private sector teams face unique challenges. NCTAS-P addresses this by focusing on assuring explosives odor recognition and search capability among dogs and handlers. It also offers numerous advantages to those providing EDD services, helps users make informed decisions, and reassures relevant government and police stakeholders.
At the time of writing, 64 EDD Teams from ten suppliers (a mix of companies and individuals) hold NCTAS-P accreditation. The Department for Transport separately regulates private EDD capability for specific transport security purposes.
For those considering EDD services, the NPSA recommends working exclusively with teams holding a current NCTAS-P accreditation. A comprehensive list of accredited EDD teams can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-accredited-explosives-detection-dog-team.
For more information about NCTAS-P or to register interest, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-canine-training-and-accreditation-scheme-private-security-industry.
In addition, the NPSA compiles a series of guidance notes to aid EDD instructors and handlers in understanding and optimizing training and operational practices: www.npsa.gov.uk/canine-detection-guidance-notes. For more information, visit: www.npsa.gov.uk/canine-detection-0.
[1] National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme - Private Security Industry (NCTAS-P) - Managing the threat from improvised explosive devices using canine teams in private settings, NPSA, September 2021, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1026816/Managing_the_threat_from_improvised_explosive_devices_using_canine_teams_in_private_settings_NPSA_Sept_2021.pdf[2] National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS), Home Office, Accessed April 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-canine-training-and-accreditation-scheme[3] National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS)-Private Security Industry (PSI), https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-canine-training-and-accreditation-scheme-private-security-industry
- The explosive threat can challenge EDDs due to various odors and emission levels, necessitating rigorous training.
- The involvement of skilled handlers is crucial in ensuring EDD performance, particularly in understanding the dog's behavior and reacting to subtle cues.
- Private EDD teams operating in business and personal-finance sectors can benefit from the National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme - Private Security Industry (NCTAS-P), which offers assurance on explosives odor recognition and search capability.
- Intensive use of EDDs in data-and-cloud-computing and technology industries can create a need for secure transportation and effective mitigation strategies, as demonstrated in the London 2012 Olympics example.
