Policing, military and other UK Government EDD Teams must complete an annual accreditation, the National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS). This is a robust course tailored to the key threat materials of highest concern within the UK.
There has historically been no equivalent, government recognised approach for assuring the capability of private sector EDD Teams. To address this, the NCTAS-P was launched in March 2021. It provides a route for private sector EDD Teams to be accredited under a government approved scheme.
A version of the course available to the private sector, the NCTAS for the Private Security Industry (NCTAS-P), allows private sector teams to also be accredited under the government scheme.
The assessment takes place across two days for up to 4 EDD teams (each team is made up of one handler and one dog) and covers a wide range of threat related substances. Teams are then assessed by expert instructors on odour identification and four conventional searches (vehicle, building, area and route).
The NCTAS and NCTAS-P are the only accreditation schemes for Venues and Public Spaces which are backed by the Home Office, Counter Terrorism Policing, NaCTSO and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
NCTAS-P allows for interoperability between government agencies and the private sector, ensuring standards are kept high and that the training is consistent and operationally relevant.
