Commissioner's Directive 566-13: Detector dog program

1. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, has the authority to establish guidelines in support of this policy.
2. The Regional Deputy Commissioner will approve requests for detector dog teams to attend and participate in events (for example, seminars, dog competitions or job fairs), if the request is supported by the Institutional Head.
3. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Integrated Services, will ensure the effective and efficient deployment of detector dog teams in their region, in collaboration with the Director General, Preventive Security and Intelligence.
4. The Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director General, Preventive Security and Intelligence, will develop guidelines for the design of kennels and spaces for detector dog teams in institutions.
5. The Director General, Preventive Security and Intelligence, will:
   1. provide overall management of the Detector Dog Program, and
   2. establish deployment standards for the operational aspects of the Detector Dog Program.
6. The Deputy Director, Preventive Security and Intelligence, will:
   1. be the final decision maker regarding the overall wellbeing, care, maintenance and assignment of detector dogs as property of the Government of Canada
   2. negotiate and maintain memoranda of understanding or agreements with external partners regarding the training and certification of the detector dog teams as well as work with Contracting and Materiel Services for all necessary approvals, and
   3. inform the Regional Administrator, Security, and the Regional Intelligence Coordinator of any regional-level issues related to the Detector Dog Program.
7. The National Detector Dog Program Coordinator will:
   1. coordinate and schedule training with external partners for the provision of services outlined in memoranda of understanding or agreements
   2. identify and prioritize detector dog teams for basic, replacement and refresher training, as required
   3. develop and maintain a Detector Dog Program Manual, which will provide detailed operational procedures for the management of the Detector Dog Program
   4. establish and maintain standards for supplies and equipment-related needs (for example, kennels and vehicles)
   5. inform the Assistant Warden, Operations, of any identified areas of non-compliance with Detector Dog Program policies or procedures
   6. ensure applicants are assessed for the unique skills required for detector dog handling, prior to being considered for Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist opportunities, and
   7. chair the National Detector Dog Program Committee, on an as-needed basis, to review and discuss issues related to detector dogs, and make recommendations to the Deputy Director, Preventive Security and Intelligence.
8. The Technical Advisor will:
   1. assist the designated manager(s) in the development, coordination, and implementation of regional assistance strategies for the utilization of detector dog teams
   2. coordinate certifications of detector dog teams, ensure their validity according to the National Training Standards, and ensure this information is documented in the employee training record
   3. provide guidance, advice and support to detector dog teams and local and regional management teams
   4. coordinate the provision of institutional and residential kennels, and
   5. provide guidance on the use, control, verification and safeguarding of the training aid kits.
9. The District Director may request approval from the Institutional Head to deploy detector dog teams to assist with search activities in Community Correctional Centres, as needed.
10. The Executive Director may request approval from the Institutional Head to deploy detector dog teams to assist with search activities in CSC-operated Healing Lodges and Healing Villages, as needed.
11. The Institutional Head or designate will:
    1. ensure the use of detector dog teams is incorporated into Institutional Search Plans
    2. ensure the Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist is not deployed to alternate posts during their regular scheduled shift, except in emergency situations, as defined in Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 600: Management of Emergencies in Operational Units
    3. review and approve requests to deploy detector dog teams to assist in nearby institutions, Community Correctional Centres, CSC-operated Healing Lodges and Healing Villages, where operationally feasible
    4. review requests for detector dog teams to participate in events and make recommendations to the Regional Deputy Commissioner regarding the approval of these requests, and
    5. seek approval from Institutional Heads within their region when there is an imminent need for additional detector dog teams to assist in searching activities.
12. The Assistant Warden, Operations, will:
    1. provide oversight of the Detector Dog Program at the site
    2. identify trends and deficiencies related to the Program, policies and procedures, and implement appropriate solutions
    3. ensure approved supplies, tools and equipment are provided to the Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist in accordance with the National Equipment List contained in the Detector Dog Program Manual
    4. ensure all assets provided to the Detector Dog Handlers/Search Specialists, including items identified in the National Equipment List contained in the Detector Dog Program Manual, are well maintained, appropriately used and accounted for in accordance with Financial Directive (FD) 350-1: Asset Management, where applicable
    5. inform the National Detector Dog Program Coordinator of any issues or deficiencies arising from the implementation of this policy or related guidelines, and
    6. review and approve requests from detector dog teams to participate in progressive training activities with external partners.
13. The Correctional Manager, Operations, or equivalent will:
    1. ensure detector dog teams are utilized in accordance with the Institutional Search Plan and the procedures defined within the 566 series of the Commissioner’s Directives
    2. ensure any non-routine or emergency searches using the detector dog teams are conducted in accordance with the procedures defined within the 566 series of the Commissioner’s Directives and the Highly Toxic Substances Protocol, if required
    3. provide support, guidance and oversight to Detector Dog Handlers/Search Specialists, as their direct supervisor, with regard to their role and the implementation of security-related policies and procedures
    4. ensure detector dog teams’ search activities and results are documented in accordance with the requirements and timeframes specified in this policy
    5. monitor procedural compliance with regard to the drug detector training kit handling and safeguarding (such as, storage solution meets all security requirements)
    6. ensure Detector Dog Handlers/Search Specialists are provided with adequate time to complete mandatory progressive training
    7. notify the National Detector Dog Program Coordinator and/or the Technical Advisor in writing if a Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist is on leave for more than 30 calendar days, and
    8. notify, in a timely manner, the National Detector Dog Program Coordinator and/or the Technical Advisor if there are any concerns related to the health or wellbeing of a detector dog.
14. The Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist will:
    1. assist the designated manager(s) in the development, coordination, implementation and maintenance of the Institutional Search Plan
    2. use their assigned detector dog to search all areas of the institution in accordance with the Institutional Search Plan for the site and/or as instructed by the designated manager(s) for any non-routine or emergency searches
    3. participate in search activities at various institutions/security levels within their region, as required
    4. comply with search methods pursuant to relevant CSC policies and legislation, including the Highly Toxic Substances Protocol
    5. ensure search activities and results are tracked and documented in the operations log no later than the 15th of the following month
    6. provide complete care, maintenance and motivation to their assigned detector dog, including, but not limited to, feeding, hygiene and health care needs, exercise, training and socialization
    7. communicate requirements for equipment and supplies to their supervisor
    8. maintain in good condition all supplies and equipment assigned to the detector dog team, and return them prior to leaving the position
    9. ensure only the approved drug detector training kit and training aids are introduced to the detector dog
    10. maintain control and ensure proper handling, safeguarding and transportation of their assigned drug detector training kit and training aids, in accordance with GL 566‑13‑1: Guidelines for the Detector Dog Program, and
    11. collaborate with the Security Intelligence Officer to exchange information and contribute to the development and implementation of searching strategies based on intelligence information.
15. The Security Intelligence Officer will share contraband-related information and intelligence with the Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist as required, in accordance with CD 568‑2: Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence.

16. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email: Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@CSC-SCC.gc.ca

Commissioner,
Anne Kelly

Cross-References

• CD 085: Correspondence and Telephone Communication
• CD 228: Information Management
• ISD 335: Fleet Management
• FD 350-1: Asset Management
• GL 351-1: CSC Uniforms, Dress Code and Scale of Issue
• CD 566: Framework for Safe and Effective Correctional Environments
• CD 566-1: Control of Entry to and Exit from Institutions
• CD 566-2: Control of Vehicle Entry to and Exit from Institutions
• CD 566-6: Security Escorts
• CD 566-7: Searching of Offenders
• CD 566-8: Searching of Staff and Visitors
• GL 566-8-1: Use of Non-Intrusive Search Tools
• CD 566-9: Searching of Cells/Rooms, Vehicles and Other Areas
• PB 566-13: Detector Dog Program
• GL 566-13-1: Guidelines for the Detector Dog Program
• CD 568-1: Recording and Reporting of Security Incidents
• CD 568-2: Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence
• CD 577: Staff Protocol in Women Offender Institutions
• CD 585: National Drug Strategy
• CD 600: Management of Emergencies in Operational Units
• CD 702: Indigenous Offenders
• CD 706: Classification of Institutions
• CD 714: Community Correctional Centre Standards
• GL 750-1: Inmate Religious Accommodations

Certification: granted by the certifying body, the certification of each detector dog team maintains the integrity of the Detector Dog Program, provides recertification, and validates the abilities of the detector dog team for court purposes. Without a valid certification, a detector dog team must avoid searching any areas where a seizure could result in legal implications.

Community Correctional Centre: a federally operated community-based residential facility that provides a structured living environment with 24-hour supervision, programs and interventions for the purpose of safely reintegrating offenders into the community. These facilities, which may also have an enhanced programming component, accommodate offenders under federal jurisdiction who have been released to the community on unescorted temporary absences, day parole, full parole, work releases, statutory release, as well as those subject to long-term supervision orders.

CSC-operated Healing Lodge or Healing Village: a minimum or multi-level security facility operated by CSC in cooperation with an Indigenous governing body or any Indigenous organization. These facilities may or may not be located on First Nations’ reserve land. Healing Lodges may also be facilities run by the appropriate Indigenous authority under section 81 of the CCRA when approved by the Minister.

Detector dog: a non-intrusive search tool, which consists of a dog trained to search for specific odours and identify the source of the odours through a behavioural change. CSC detector dogs are certified to work with a specific Handler. No other person will utilize the detector dog in a search capacity.

Detector Dog Handler/Search Specialist: a specialist who will assist in the development and maintenance of a thorough and consistent Institutional Search Plan and is a trained and certified Detector Dog Handler responsible for the care and custody of a detector dog.

Detector dog team: a trained and certified detector dog and Handler.

Drug detector training kit: a supply of controlled substances approved and provided by Health Canada.

Progressive training: ongoing training that ensures a high level of performance by the detector dog teams in order to meet the established standards during certifications. This process also ensures detector dog teams are certified for court purposes.

Training aid: a legally possessed item or substance approved for the Detector Dog Program and used to train a detector dog in the odour profile for which the dog has been certified.

For more information

• Government-wide Forward Regulatory Plans
• The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory
• The Federal regulatory management
• The Canada–United States Regulatory Cooperation Council

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.