SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Handle a trained sniffer dog to assist in the detection of substances 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120461  Handle a trained sniffer dog to assist in the detection of substances 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Visible Policing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners in the safety and society environment who utilize a trained sniffer or dog to assist in the detection of substances.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Apply current legislation pertaining to substance detection discipline.
  • Conduct a search for substances with the aid of a trained sniffer dog.
  • Identify and handle substances indicated by the sniffer dog in a structured scenario. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication NQF 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Substances may refer to but are not limited to:
  • Prohibited narcotic substances.
  • Military and or commercial explosive substances.
  • Protected species substances.
  • Flammable accelerant substances.
  • Carcass and hide.
  • Illegal agricultural products or food.
  • Biological body fluid substances.

    Areas may refer to but are not limited to:
  • Any building.
  • Vehicle.
  • Vessel.
  • Container.
  • Luggage.
  • Open area.
  • Beach.
  • Fynbos.
  • Underground.
  • Aircraft. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply current legislation pertaining to substance detection discipline. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Current legislation may include but is not limited to: Drug and Drug Trafficking Act No. 140 of 1992, Firearms Control Act no 60 of 2000, Explosives Act, Mine and Works Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Current legislation pertaining to a specific substance detection discipline is identified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Current legislation is applied in a given case study. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct a search for substances with the aid of a trained sniffer dog. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Search area is secured by conducting a pre-search. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Search is planned considering environmental and safety factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Dog is prepared for search in accordance with training techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Commands are given to the dog in accordance with training techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Dog is assisted by the handler during search to prevent injury and to overcome obstacles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Dog's behaviour is interpreted in order to facilitate and inform decision making processes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and handle substances indicated by the sniffer dog in a structured scenario. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The term handle only includes referrals, securing, collecting and disposal according to specific organizational standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Dog is utilized to locate substances while taking necessary steps to remove any obstacles which may hinder the dog from detecting the substance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Removal of obstacles does not include harmful substances or explosives or obstacles which might be regarded as evidence in a court of law.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Indications by the dog are investigated in order to determine the location of the substance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Categories of substances are identified according to their characteristics to inform handling methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Handling methods also include immediate action drills.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Substances are secured or collected or disposed of according to the characteristics of the substance and in accordance with current legislation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Report the information which was gathered during the use of a sniffer dog. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Information may include details of about substances in terms of collecting, referrals, disposing methods and harmful substances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information gathered is analysed in order to report findings to relevant role-players. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Relevant role-players refer to but are not limited to: investigation officers and forensics analyst. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reports are completed detailing all information pertaining to the search. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Current legislation to conduct searches
    Range: Legislation includes but is not limited to: Constitution (Chapter 2 Bill of Rights), Criminal Procedure Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1995, Firearms Control Act, Nature Conservation legislation
  • Rights of people
  • Powers on search and seizure
  • Powers of arrest
  • Search, seizure and arresting procedures
  • Securing search area
  • Planning
  • Training technique
  • Commands
  • Safety principles
  • Overcome obstacles
  • Dog behaviour
  • Decision-making processes.
  • Negative reinforcement
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Reward and corrective techniques
  • Identify and handle substances
  • Utilization of dogs
  • Removal of obstacles
  • Evidence in a court of law
  • Categories of substances
  • Immediate action drills.
  • Securing and colleting and disposal
  • Information gathering
  • Reporting
  • Role of relevant role-players
  • Criminal Procedure Act, No. 51 of 1977 (section 20-23, 25-28, 30, 39-40, 43, 48-50)
  • Constitution of South Africa Act, No. 106 of 1996 (section 10, 12, 14, 21, 25, 205(3))
  • Judicial matter second amendment Act 122 of 1998 (which replace section 49 of the CPA, No. 51 of 1977)
  • Drug and Drug Trafficking Act, No. 140 of 1992 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organization, community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57938   Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  50102   National Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Alpha K9 Solutions Pty Ltd 
    2. ATLEGANG CONSULTING CC 
    3. AVK9 Pty Ltd 
    4. AVSCAN TRAINING PTY LTD BOKSBURG 
    5. Combined Private Investigations Pty Ltd 
    6. DENVINLEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CC 
    7. DOGS AND ALL 
    8. DTZ holdings 
    9. GENESIS K9 GROUP (PTY) LTD 
    10. George B Security Seervices 
    11. IMVULA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 
    12. INSTITUTE FOR PERSONAL CLOSE PROTECTION 
    13. IPID Investigation 
    14. K9 129 
    15. K9 DTC Security Services Pty Ltd 
    16. K9 REVELATION SERVICES 
    17. MILITES DEI SECURITY SERVICES (PTY) LTD 
    18. One Stop Security Pty Ltd 
    19. PARAMOUNT K9 SOLUTIONS PTY LTD 
    20. PROTEA COIN GROUP (ASSETS IN TRANSIT AND ARMED REACTION) 
    21. RAPS K9 LAW ENFORCEMENT 
    22. SAHO INVESTMENT CC 
    23. SILVER SOLUTIONS SECURITY 1713 CC 
    24. TACKLE HOF TRADING 
    25. TACTICAL K9 AFRICA 
    26. Vetus Schola Protection Inland 
    27. Wolf Guarding Solutions Pty Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.