Police K-9 Magazine - September/October 2010

During the past 14 years, the Netherlands’ National Bureau of Law Enforcement, K- 9 Certification, and Quality Control has grown into a professional organization based on the Regulations and Standards for Police Dogs — part of the Netherlands’ police law, which is applied to patrol/ SWAT dogs and specialized dogs (scent detection and tracking dogs). Nearly 20 chairmen of judges, 60 judges, and 25 certified decoys from police departments, customs agencies, and the military police represent the Bureau during certifications. In Nunspeet, two secretaries and one lieutenant work full time for the Bureau.

The regulations and standards are considered “dynamic documents,” which means that they are continually improved upon and renewed to meet the requirements of a constantly changing society. The standards committee is responsible for making those adjustments. For example, in 2008 and 2009, the standards for narc dogs, patrol dogs, SWAT dogs, and tracking dogs were updated.

The Bureau
supports and
facilitates
innovative
pilots for new
products and
disciplines.

PHOTOGRAPHER: JEFF MEYER

The Scope of the Work

In 2009, the Bureau distributed 275 certificates for patrol/
SWAT dogs and 90 certificates for specialized dogs. Courses
were offered for judges and decoys, and theme days were
organized for law-enforcement disciplines. For example, a
theme day on IEDs was held for EOD handlers, and a
theme day for narc handlers
dealt with methamphet-
amine — a newly devel-
oping problem in the
Netherlands.

Dick van Leenen is a lieutenant with the Netherlands’ National Police Agency’s (KLPD) K- 9 Unit, located in the town of Nunspeet. He also heads the National Bureau of Law Enforcement, K- 9 Certification, and Quality Control, which means that he is responsible for all Dutch PSDs being certified.