Drug Detection Canine Compliance Program

DISCLAIMER: THE INITIAL TRAINING PORTION OF THIS PAGE TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2020. THE ANNUAL REQUALIFICATION PROCESS IS CURRENTLY LIVE, AS OF JANUARY 1, 2019.

In 2012, the Police Training Act was amended to require drug detection canine teams to be trained by programs that meet the minimum certification requirements set by the Board:

(50 ILCS 705/10.12)

Sec. 10.12. Police dog training standards. Beginning July 1, 2012, all police dogs used by State and local law enforcement agencies for drug enforcement purposes pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/), the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/), and the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act (720 ILCS 646/) shall be trained by programs that meet the minimum certification requirements set by the Board.

(Source: P.A. 97-469, eff. 7-1-12.)

Effective June 25, 2019, the Police Training Act was changed to allow agencies to opt out of imprinting drug dogs on various drugs. Prior to this change, the law required all four drug odors be used. Some agencies have opted not to imprint their drug dogs on the odor of cannabis as a result of that change.

(50 ILCS 705/10.12)
Sec. 10.12. Police dog training standards. All police dogs used by State and local law enforcement agencies for drug enforcement purposes pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act shall be trained by programs that meet the minimum certification requirements set by the Board.
(Source: P.A. 101-27, eff. 6-25-19.)

The Board has continued to update and improve the drug detection canine compliance program and as a result, new statewide standards have been implemented.

General Information:

Initial Training Information:

Initial Training and Certification Checklist
Initial Canine Training Minimum Requirements
Although new drug detection canine teams can attend a canine academy of their choosing, ILETSB requires that the course contain a minimum of 160 consecutive hours.
Daily Training Packet