Split this into seperate SAR thread... interesting topic.
I've heard references like this before to the kooks...are you talking about people that sit at home with police scanners and run to a site? With untrained dogs, and themselves poorly trained? That's what I always assumed you were talking about but I figured I'd better ask.Bob Scott said:Unless you work as an indipendent (you have the connections), SAR will only frustrate you because of all the incompetent wannabys out there.
I just always here about the tin-foil hat "Silence of the Lambs" psychics that get out there on behalf of the family, etc. and it must be annoying as hell for investigators. Too bad. I wonder what the profile of your average police scanner buyer looks like?Bob Scott said:The bottom line is a lack of standards. Even the teams with standards aren't accountble to anyone but themselves.
A few states have great standards, but as a rule, it's up to the individual teams to be responsable.
There are some great teams out there.....but!
Are there standards/expectations set for the handlers? Physical capabilities, basic legal knowledge, even stuff like orienteering and modes of communication?Nancy Jocoy said:David I think you hit the nail on the head. National Standards (even state standards), annual testing, and evaluation of training logs to ensure adequate reliability would go a long way.
Most legitimate teams abhor people who listen to scanners and self deploy or people who don't hold to high standards. Plus there are major issues of insurance (particularly liability) and criminal background checks (We have gone from requiring state checks to FBI criminal background checks). It is imperitive that people do not misrepresent their capabilities. Many simply do not know. Also, just passing a test does not guarantee reliability - the dangerous person is one who *got lucky* and thinks they know more than they do.
We are fortunate in that the teams that are evolving in my state train together on a semi regular basis - we even coordinated a cadaver search that brought in people from 3 teams and ran the IC - the police department gave us very positive feedback. I am sponsored for NAPWDA by a Master Trainer on one of the other teams.
NASAR, a political beast is the only organization that has standards in all search disciplines**, but there is a lot of frustration with the politics that have been going on there. NAPWDA will certify in trailing and area search but NOT in cadaver. NNDDA will in cadaver. USPCA will let you test but not certify you. In my dream world, NAPWDA would start certifying civilians since cadaver dogs seem to be in short supply in most police departments.
**and I heard they are negotiating with FEMA and are setting standards to match the NIMs classifications -- but once again, a very political beast.
Don't get me wrong. By "cops and robbers" I meant extroverts that live for inserting themselves into some kind of situation like a SAR activity. Weekend warriors. Not using the SAR dog as a police dog.Nancy Jocoy said:It is a rather strange question ....