K-9 Teams Train on Explosive-Detection Skills

ATF conducts National Odor Recognition Training and certification

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering National Odor Recognition Testing (NORT) and certification to numerous explosive-detection canine teams throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. This international event also includes canine teams from Canada.

• WHO: ATF’s National Canine Division (NCD) and law enforcement partners ATF Lead National Odor Recognition Testing Instructor, Cody D. Monday, and explosive-detection K-9 teams from participating agencies. (A complete list follows)
• WHAT: National Odor Recognition Testing and certification NORT is a voluntary test to evaluate a canine team’s ability to detect 10 fundamental explosive odors. Congress recognizes the test as the benchmark proficiency standard for effective canine explosives detection.
• WHERE: Boston Scientific campus, 4100 Hamline Ave. N Arden Hills, MN
• WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 15, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. A short briefing about the NORT will kick off the media event. Journalists are then welcome to capture b-roll, secondary interviews and meet the canine teams.

RSVPs are greatly appreciated. Please send a notification of attendance to Ashlee Sherrill at ATF’s St. Paul Field Division at (651) 726-0316 or ashlee.sherrill@atf.gov (link sends e-mail).

About National Odor Recognition Testing

During a three-day training and evaluation session, explosive-detection canine teams at all levels of government use NORT to identify gaps in training aids, learn about inadvertent training aid contamination, and practice odor detection in a professional training environment. NORT training also allows handlers to exchange information on trends and best practices with colleagues and ask questions of ATF canine and explosives subject matter experts. At the end of the training and practice session, teams can elect to perform the official NORT single-blind test administered by ATF.

ATF conducts about 12 NORT sessions a year nationwide for about 500 explosive-detection canine teams. So far, 446 teams have completed the test in fiscal year 2017. Since inception in September 2005, 3,068 international, federal, state, local and military canine teams have participated in NORT training.

ATF’s NCD is charged with training explosives, firearms and accelerant detection canines for federal, state, local and international law enforcement and fire investigation agencies. ATF is the leading source of specially trained explosives-, firearms- and accelerant-detection canine teams. Once trained, the canine teams are assigned to local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as select foreign countries. The teams regularly lend support to investigations and security efforts.

Participating agencies:

    Winnipeg Police Department (CAN)

    Transportation Security Administration (US)

    Federal Protective Service (US)

    Minnesota State Patrol (MN)

    MSP Airport Police (MN)

    Duluth Police Department

    Metro Transit Police Department (MN)

    Rochester Police Department (MN)

    University of Minnesota Police Department (MN)

    Anoka County Sheriff’s Office (MN)

    Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (MN)

    Des Moines Police Department (IA)

    Lake County Sheriff’s Office (IL)

    Green Bay Police Department (WI)

    Lacrosse Police Department (WI)