Decryption Regulations: explosives detection dog in private security
Explosives detection using dogs is now a regulated activity for private security companies. The new regulations come into force on May 1, 2023, with transitional provisions until December 31, 2023.
Several official texts specify the conditions and procedures for practice and training.
To help you understand the regulatory framework and stay in compliance, here's a summary written by Onet experts and validated by the Groupement des Entreprises de Sécurité (GES).
Why a regulatory framework for this activity?
On February 2, a decree and two orders were published to give credibility to the canine detection offer and increase the number of agents and dogs authorized for the major events planned in France over the next few years.
In the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, the contribution of private companies is essential to the sizing of the security arrangements in support of public security. In an interview with AEF info, Thomas Collomb, deputy director of security for Paris 2024, announced that he would need "around a hundred specialized dogs" for the security of this XXL event.
A new profession for private security companies :
Private security companies now have a clear regulatory framework for their explosives detection dog teams, which was not the case before.
As of April 2, 2023, the private security company must make a prior declaration to the Prefecture of the place where the mission is to be carried out and for how long, with a copy to the Director of the CNAPS.
Operational instructions are defined by the government, and are uniform for all contractors.
Before carrying out dog detection missions, it is essential to remember :
- Dog detection and luggage search or palpation missions are incompatible,
- The mission cannot be carried out on individuals,
- Dogs may not be used for any purpose other than to identify a risk associated with the presence of explosive materials,
- An agent can only drive two dogs at a time,
- A dog can belong to only one agent,
- These new provisions do not apply to airport security.
The conditions and procedures for carrying out explosives detection dog missions
To carry out this activity, you need to hold an "agent de cyno-détection des explosifs" professional card, as well as valid technical certification. These documents must be carried at all times.
As a transitional measure, until December 31, 2023, a professional card is required to carry out human surveillance and guarding activities.
Technical certification :
Technical certification is issued by the Ministry of the Interior for each agent and each dog. It attests to the successful completion of the entire training course for an explosives detection dog agent, and the annual assessment carried out by a government department.
This certificate is valid for one year, and may be renewed following an assessment by a specific government department attached to the Ministry of the Interior. However, certification is withdrawn in the event of :
- Loss of business card,
- Non-compliance with agent's obligations,
- Failed annual assessment,
- Failure of an unannounced test by specialized state services,
- Reasons of "public order" put forward.
The application for technical certification must be made by the employer and must include :
- Applicant's first and last name, date and place of birth, place of residence,
- The applicant's employer,
- A copy of the dog's identification card, passport and vaccination record,
- A copy of the agent's training log.
The agent's training log :
Worn at all times by the agent, this booklet records monthly training sessions for the agent and his dog, as well as any unannounced tests carried out by specialized government departments.
It must mention :
- Agent's surname, first name, date and place of birth
- Your business card number
- The dog's identification number
Each month, the agent must train his dog for a minimum of four hours, and each session must be recorded in his training logbook with the following information:
- Session date and duration
- The nature of the exercise
- Training location
- The quantity of explosive material used or another medium
- Packaging methods for the material used
- The result of the exercise or unannounced test
Activity-specific training :
The training, in addition to that for human surveillance and guarding agents, must last a minimum of 361 hours, as shown below.
Prerequisites for initial training
Request for prior authorization to enter training
Initial training
361 hours including 251 hours of practice PER DOG + CQP APS if applicable
4 HOURS of training
Monthly
Annual assessment
Mandatory for technical certification renewal
Recycling (MAC) every 5 years
14 h including 2h practice + MAC APS
At present, there is only one approved training center in France. It's the national center for cyno-detection of explosives, located in the Landes département (40).
Trainers must have at least a certificate or diploma registered with the RNCP attesting to their knowledge and skills in the field of canine supervision, and provide proof of two years' professional experience in the field of canine training.
Penalties for non-compliance :
Depending on the offence, the penalty may be imposed on the employee or his or her employer. The various facts that may be the subject of a sanction.
For the agent :
- Using the detection dog for purposes other than those for which it was intended
- Sharing control of the dog with another agent
- Simultaneously hold more than two technical certifications
- Driving more than two dogs
- Failure to follow intervention procedures
- Not wearing technical certification or training booklet
For the employer :
- Employ an agent who does not hold valid technical certification
Not informing the Préfecture (or the Préfecture de Police in départements 13 and 75) of the deployment of the dog detection agent and his dog.
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Related documents :
- Decree no. 2023-50 of February 1, 2023 on the cyno-detection of explosives and amending various provisions relating to private security activities.
- Arrêté du 1er février 2023 relatif aux procédures d'intervention applicables aux équipes cynotechniques intervenant en application de l'article L. 613-7-1 A du Code de la Sécurité Intérieure
- Arrêté du 1er février 2023 relatif à la formation initiale et continue des agents mentionnés à l'article L.613-7-1 A du Code de la Sécurité Intérieure ainsi que aux conditions de certification des organismes de formation formant à la mission mentionnée à ce même article
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