Anyone know anything of airport bomb detection dogs? - Page 1

This has really gotten me interested. I know there are volunteer people with search and rescue, but to do detection work, do you actually have to be a cop or can you train your dog, pass tests and do all the necessary work, and be a volunteer? The dogs at the airport really intrigued me but I saw they were all cops.
Also, does anyone know how much training is needed, the cost, and usually how long it takes? I'm very new to this, so I am trying to look off trainer's websites and articles to gather information.
Thanks and have a great day!

Try southern coast k9. they provide dogs, training, seminars, etc. My friend, A former training director from OPD its gonna start working there next week, he's given me great references.

The bomb dogs and handlers at the international airports are trained by the Federal Gov't.They all must meet the same requirements and standards (FAA). The handlers go through the training with the dogs. The handlers must be certified law enforcement officers. Sorry,there are no volunteers. Remember this is our country's first line of defense.Law enforcement would not allow volunteers to put themselves in a dangerous situation. However you might be able to volunteer your time or money to support any of your local law enforcement K9 units even if there not at the airport.

As far as I know, Local, City and State PD's will not utilize the services of civilian bomb or drug detection handlers and their dogs.  It is not even as much about a civilian being put in a dangerous situation but the certification, training and reliability of the dog.  There is a tremondous amount of liability in handling a detector dog especially an Explosives K-9.

Jim

Had a whole page typed up last night and as I "submitted comment" screen went hazy and lost the whole thing. Hate when that happens.

I will only speak of my experience and what I know; I believe the above comments are correct. Understand that when you state "Airport Police" that depending on the airport and what type it is, those police officers could be a true Police Department in which the airport falls within their jurisdiction and others are strictly that airport's Police Department. Not saying they are less of a LEO. (Say for instance "Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police Department" or "Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department" for BWI Airport. Also, Pinkerton which is a LARGE, (mostly Government Contracts) Security Company a few months back ran an ad for K9 Handlers for BWI Airport. Those handlers were not LEO but their K9s had to be certified. The potential handlers had to have their own K9s. Now, I'm sure that there had to be a certification of sorts to get hired.

For me, prior military and a former LEO, now Civilian Contractor with DoD as an EDD, Explosive Detection Dog Handler. I interviewed in Washington, D.C. and was hired by an out of state Company. Sent to a K9 school and certified under that State's Law Enforcement Academy. My course was for "Single Purpose Explosive Detector Dog Handler Course" which was slotted for 120 hrs. In REALITY it was 170 hrs. 14 - 16 hr. days and pushed, stressed, pushed etc. I'm prior USAF so the bonus was the owner/Master Trainer was a retired SMSgt and Kennel Master of the Air Force, so we got along very well. Once certified then I trained with the Pentagon Force Protection Police K9 unit, some who handled 9/11, and Secret Service, NIST and other Government agencies/entities. Then on to certify with DoD under MWD standards for OPNAVINST 5528.2B for a Level III certification. For certification purposes my scores must be no less than 95% or I am decerted and out of a job. If my certification/eval is 10 "hides" My K9 and myself must find all ten because nine would be failing. 

With these credentials, many doors will open, my bud and a few of my classmates are down range. I'm looking into overseas, working with DoS or a Foreign  Government's Explosive Detection Unit. Pay is anywhere from $75,000.00 - $130,000.00 with the first $75,000.00 being tax free. Even though it's good money the THREAT is real, but with the termination of Bin Laden there will be retaliation, it's just a matter of when.

Hope this helps.