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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-23-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF CANINE TEAMS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 23, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 23-23-140. (A) As contained in this section, 'patrol canine team' means a certified officer and a specific canine controlled by his handler working together in the performance of law enforcement or correctional duties.
(B) The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy shall verify that a patrol canine team has been certified by a nationally recognized police dog association or similar organization that has obtained its approval.
(C) To be certified:
(1) as a tactical patrol canine team, the team must pass the following tests:
(a) obedience-heel with motion, down and stay while off lead;
(b) aggression-recall and verbal out in a reasonable amount of time;
(c) ability to search for the concentration of human odor; and
(d) for bark and hold dog only, no movement of suspect-dog must come off of the bite and resume a bark and hold position;
(2) in narcotics detection, the team must pass a test in the detection of marijuana and cocaine;
(3) in explosives detection, the team must pass a test in the four major odors in each major category of explosives, excluding peroxides;
(4) in area/buildings, the team must pass a test relating to the search for a concealed person; and
(5) in locating an article, the team must pass a test relating to the locating of two items with different compositions.
(D) Bloodhound specific certifications require a sixteen hour minimum curriculum adapted from the current South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy lesson plans. A new handler must complete the course and provide and show a skill-set knowledge base for tracking. In addition a new handler must complete an advance tracking class within one year upon obtaining certification.
(E) No law enforcement or corrections agency may utilize a patrol canine team after January 1, 2014, unless the team has met all certification requirements."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on February 20, 2013 at 11:47 AM