In 1991, British Standard 7499 was introduced for the self-regulation of the Manned Guarding sector of the Security Industry. Many reputable companies began to comply with the standard and many were, have been and will be, inspected to its requirements.
The standards however fell short of including Security Dogs. The industry at the time was using dogs in small numbers, probably because of the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act and the bad press dogs were getting at that time.
Slowly but surely since then, Security Dogs have been re-introduced into the manned guarding sector. The industry had moved on but had still failed, probably due to the lack of expertise, to cater for Security Dogs.
As a result a democratically elected National Steering Committee was formed to investigate and establish nationally recognised standards for Trainers, Dogs & Handlers and to propose and prepare a fair and workable Code of Practice for all to adhere to.
In November 1996 that National Steering Committee was incorporated as NASDU, a Company Limited by guarantee not having a share capital and on 11th December 1996 was officially opened by the Right Honourable Bruce George MP at the Surrey Police Headquarters. As a not for profit making organisation the Charity’s Aims and Objectives are detailed on the following pages.
NASDU soon became the recognised representative body for the security dog sector and over the years has assisted the security industry, the government, the media and many other authorities with advice and comment. NASDU is currently commenting on the Animal Welfare Bill.
NASDU at is conception was fully supported by IPSA (International Professional Security Association), BSIA (British Security Industry Association), SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) and the ISI (Inspectorate of the Security Industry). All of these organisations are ‘main players’ within the Security Industry and all have penned their approval of the formation of NASDU. In 1999 the Association became full members of the Joint Security Industry Council (JSIC).
In addition the Guide Dogs for the Blind recognised and supported the efforts of NASDU and assisted in the compilation of the welfare section of the now accepted NASDU Codes of Practice.
In 2001 the “Private Security Act” was finally ratified by Parliament and the “Security Industry Authority” - S.I.A. was formed to manage the regulation and activity, accountable to the Secretary of State for the Home Office.
NASDU has continued to represent the security dog industry and its membership having firstly been involved in the Way Forward Group set up by JSIC and more recently by its involvement in the Dog Handling Consultation Committee set up originally by the S.I.A., which now operates within the Sector Skills Group as S.I.D.C.G. (the Security Industry Dog Consultation Group). NASDU also has representation on the expert/steering Consultation Committees for Keyholding and Alarm Response and Ports Security, both areas in which its membership operates.
NASDU with its Educational Partners, the BIPDT - “British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers” together with other industry experts has also been involved via these Committees in the development of National Occupational Standards and these core standards will be incorporated in future qualifications for dog handlers. NASDU is currently working with an S.I.A. endorsed awarding body to develop qualifications that meets the needs of our industry and its membership.
ORGANISATION
The day to day activities of NASDU are run by the Management of the Association from Head Office supported by a democratically elected Committee comprising of both Company and Individual Members and includes a cross section of membership including trainers, operational dog handlers etc.
The Committee is elected annually at the Associations Annual General Meeting from which Sub Committees are formed including the Training Committee, Trials Committee, Legislation Committee, etc.
ASSOCIATIONS FIRST PATRON
As NASDU enters its 10 year we are delighted to announce that the Rt. Honourable Bruce George M.P. accepted their offer for him to become the Patron of our Association.
Bruce George for more years than he would probably wish to remember has always been a stalwart for the security industry. NASDU first approached him for support back in the mid 1990’s as a group of like minded individuals led by John Berry, the then Chairman. With the support of Bruce George we went on and formed a much needed Association of security dog handlers to improve standards and awareness to the dog sector of the industry, which was officially opened by Bruce George himself in 1996.
Bruce George has always supported NASDU since those early days and has addressed our Conferences and AGM’s on a number of occasions together with letters of support for our activities including the NASDU Annual Security Dog Working Trials.
As we approach our 10th anniversary we felt what better tribute to a man who has done so much for the security industry than to be recognised by the Association he supported all those years ago.
DEVELOPMENT WORK
National Occupational Standards
In 2004 NASDU was invited by the S.I.A. in consultation with SITO now Skills for Security to sit on a Consultation Group to develop the first National Occupation Standards (NOS’s)
These were completed in late 2005 and received their first approval in 2006. Since then they have been reviewed and received subsequent approval in December 2009.
NASDU has also been involved in the development of the NOS for Keyholding & Alarm Response approved September 2008 and the NOS for Security Search Operations approved December 2009.
British Standards
Following comment on European Legislation NASDU was invited to assist the British Standards Institute (BSI) in the development of a Standard for Security Dog Users for which the NASDU Code of Practice for GP Dogs was used as the basis for the first ever British Standard for Dog Handling, which was published as BS 8517-1:2009 Code of Practice for the Use of General Purpose Security Dogs.
Since the introduction of Part 1 NASDU has gone on to develop Part 2 for Detection Dogs which is due for publication as BS 8517-2 Code of Practice for the Use of Detection Dogs.
National Training Qualifications
Following completion of the NOS’s NASDU entered into an agreement with ASET now EDI (a QCA Accredited Awarding Body) to develop a National Award for Security Dog users and in June 2006 the “ASET Level 2 National Award for General Purpose Security Dog Handlers” was launched.
This was a great achievement for NASDU as whilst the NASDU Basic Handlers Certificate was the first nationally recognised qualification for dog users the ASET National Award developed and delivered by NASDU is the FIRST National Award for Security Dog users to be accredited by a National Awarding Body.
CONSULTATION – LEGATIVE CHANGES
Following the implementation of Private Security Act in March 2006 and the subsequent licensing of Security Officers NASDU will continue to lobby Government and the S.I.A. and support the Sector Skills Group and JSIC in getting the Security Dog Handler licensed.
During 2006/7 NASDU approached by DEFRA made comment on “The Welfare of Animals during Transport – Consultation on the Implementation of EU Regulation 1/2005”.
ACPO POLICY
Following the disappointment of S.I.A. licensing NASDU is now turning its attention to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) whose working group in consideration of an injury have classified the dog as follows: -
• Ballistic Weapon (Firearm)
• Dog – General Purpose Dog
• Baton Round
• Baton
• C S Gas
• Taser
As can be seen the dog is classified one below a gun and because of this NASDU will be looking to ACPO to hopefully provide a policy on security dogs similar to their existing Keyholding and Alarm Response Policy which exists to regulate the systems side of the industry.
2007 saw NASDU approached by not only ACPO and National Police Search Centre but also the Metropolitan Police, who in early 2008 conducted trials with NASDU regarding passive drug detection dogs.
During 2009 NASDU through its involvement with the development of NOS’s for Dog Handling and Security Search again became involved with ACPO for which further meetings have been arranged for 2010.
REPRESENTATION
NASDU is also currently represented on the following: -
Sector Consultation Group (Guarding) – Committee Member
National Occupational Standards – Expert and Steering Group Members
British Standards Institute – GW3/-/15 Panel
Joint Security Industry Council – Director and Committee Member
SPONSORSHIP
As a non profit making organisation NASDU relies on corporate sponsorship to supplement income from its membership activities.
Pedigree and S.S.T. (Surrey Security Training Ltd) who were inaugural sponsors are both still sponsors today together with OMNI Security Services who have recently confirmed their sponsorship as the main corporate sponsor and Royal Canin who have also recently confirmed an on going sponsorship deal which will see Royal Canin become Educational Partners with NASDU.
TRIALS
For a number of years NASDU has run its National Working Dog Trials for Security Dog Handlers, these have been held around the country at Kempton Park, the Midlands, Irchester Country Park, Northampton and more recently at the National Trust, Polesden Lacey, Surrey.
The Trials are open to NASDU Members and attract both the experienced and the novice new comer; competitors compete in the morning session on search procedures and handler protection with the afternoon session concentrated in the central area on obedience and agility.
Prizes are awarded for Overall Trials Winner, Handler Protection, Obedience, Agility, Best Newcomer, Best Turned Out Handler and Dog and Best Turned Out Patrol Vehicle.
The Trials have previously been sponsored by Purina who commented “that the standard of competitors was equal to that seen within the Police and Prison Services and that they were proud to be associated with NASDU as we raise the bar for private security services”.
The Trials are currently sponsored by Royal Canin.
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