TSA approves several entities for K9 screening

Dogs trained in the third-party explosives detection program will assist Transportation Security Administration teams in screening shipments, including foreign cargo.    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved 12 organizations to assess third-party explosives detection canine teams to determine whether they meet TSA’s standards for screening air cargo, TSA announced on Tuesday.
   The agency said third-party canine-cargo (3PK9-C) certifiers now may begin certifying canine teams to TSA standards. All certifications must be conducted by an authorized evaluator employed by a TSA-approved 3PK9-C certifier, TSA said.
   Under the 3PK9-C Program, third-party canine teams trained in explosives detection can be certified by a nongovernmental entity, acting under TSA’s approval, as meeting the agency’s certification standards.
   Certified teams can be deployed to screen air cargo for aircraft operators, foreign air carriers and other TSA-related parties operating under a TSA-approved or accepted security program, TSA said.
   Eligibility requirements for canine explosives detection teams include, but aren’t limited to, experience, education, vetting and citizenship requirements for canine team handlers.
   “All teams should understand that successful completion of a 3PK9-C certification event is only one of the requirements for explosives detection canine teams under the [Certified Cargo Screening Programs] CCSP-K9 security program,” the TSA said. “Among other requirements, the CCSP-K9 security program requires canine explosives detection teams to pass a background check before an air carrier may hire them to screen cargo.”