NASDU

28/05/2026

NASDU is aware of serious concerns and material currently circulating online relating to the recent AVD trials associated with NASDU Trainer, Satvinder Gill.

For clarity, the AVD trials are not NASDU events and are not organised, sanctioned, or operated by NASDU.

However, following multiple concerns raised directly to the Association, together with further material subsequently brought to NASDU’s attention, NASDU has taken the precautionary decision to suspend Mr Gill’s NASDU Trainer status with immediate effect pending formal review and investigation.

During this period, Mr Gill is not authorised to conduct or deliver any NASDU-related training, continuation training, assessments, or certification activity on behalf of NASDU.

NASDU can also confirm that relevant concerns and material have now been referred to Thames Valley Police and the RSPCA for their consideration.

NASDU remains committed to maintaining professional standards, integrity, animal welfare, public safety, and confidence within the professional security dog sector.

As this matter is now subject to formal review and external referral, it would be inappropriate for NASDU to comment further at this stage.

26/05/2026

Friendly reminder to all NASDU Approved Trainers/Instructors.

As outlined within the NASDU Trainers Code of Practice, Section 8 – Training the Handler, paragraph 8.3 – Trainer to Learner Ratio:

“Instructor/Trainers should consider the learning ability of handlers ensuring the following ratios for practical training are adhered to.”

Any deviation must be justified by the Instructor/Trainer, which may include the use of two qualified NASDU Trainers.

Practical training ratios are as follows:

• GP Dogs – 1:6
• Detection Dogs – 1:4
(May be increased to 1:6 if a fully trained registered course dog is used)

Classroom-based theoretical training should not exceed a Trainer to Learner ratio of 1:12.

Thank you for your continued professionalism and support in maintaining standards.

25/05/2026

NASDU AGM 2026

The National Association of Security Dog Users AGM will take place on Wednesday 27th May 2026 at:

📍 Woking Football Club
Kingfield Stadium
Kingfield Road
Woking
Surrey
GU22 9AA

This year additionally marks 30 years of NASDU service to the Security Dog Sector.

The AGM will include organisational reports, membership and financial updates, committee elections, matters forwarded for discussion and a guest speaker presentation from Andy Lightfoot regarding Knife Detection Dogs.

AGENDA

1000hrs – Arrival (Coffee Tea & Pastries available)

1030hrs – Welcome, together with Organisational reports:

1/ Chairmans Address – Jed Marshall

2/ Apologies

3/ Minutes of Previous AGM (24th April 2025)

4/ Admin Office Report – Roger Flett

5/ Head Office Report – Steve Hill

6/ Quality Report – Sara Rathbone

7/ Inspectorate Report – Simon Mallin

1130hrs – Guest Speakers – Knife Detection Dogs

1230hrs – Lunch (chance to meet our Sponsors & other members)

1330hrs - Welcome back, together with:

8/ Membership Report – Roger/Sam Flett

9/ Financial Report – Steve Hill

10/ Election of Committee

11/ Notice of Other Appointments

12/ Matters forwarded for Discussion

13/ Conclusion

1430hrs – Close (approx)

NB: Following the conclusion of the AGM and in recognition of NASDU’s 30 year service to the Security Dog Sector, there will be an opportunity to meet the new Committee and Network with other members, for which the bar will be opened.

🐾 Friendly reminder for those attending with working dogs:

Whilst working dog handlers are absolutely welcome, it is not practical for dogs to enter the AGM venue itself.

With the warmer weather forecast, please carefully consider whether bringing dogs is appropriate and ensure suitable arrangements are in place regarding vehicle ventilation, welfare, exercise, hydration and rotation with colleagues throughout the day where necessary to ensure that somebody remains with the dogs at all times.

23/05/2026

NASDU was saddened to learn of the passing of former NASDU Approved Trainer and former Committee member Neil Losada.

Neil was involved within the dog training industry for many years and was known to many across both the pet dog and working dog sectors. During his time with NASDU, he contributed both as an Approved Trainer and for a period as part of the NASDU Committee.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Neil’s family, friends, colleagues and all those connected with Best Behaviour K9 at this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Neil.

22/05/2026

Today we remember the victims, survivors, families and all those affected by the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017.

As an Association involved in security, public safety, detection dog disciplines and protective security environments, we recognise the lasting impact this attack had across the UK and the wider security community.

Our thoughts remain with the people of Manchester and everyone whose lives were changed forever that night.

22/05/2026

Important information for organisations, trainers and security professionals who may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law / The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

The SIA, together with NAHS, is hosting a webinar regarding the draft S12 statutory guidance ahead of implementation.

This will be relevant to a wide range of sectors involved in security, venue management, public safety, event environments and protective security planning.

As an Association, we would encourage members, trainers, companies and industry professionals to remain engaged with ongoing developments surrounding Martyn’s Law and associated guidance.

Registration details are contained within the original post below.

Exclusive for NAHS Members - The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is inviting organisations and professionals who may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law – the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – to review and provide feedback on its draft statutory guidance ahead of implementatio...

21/05/2026

One of the most common enquiries NASDU receives is:

“How do I become a NASDU Approved Trainer?”

There is already a significant amount of information available via the NASDU website covering:

- Approved Trainer requirements
- Current qualification pathways
- Core and Non-Core disciplines
- Current Approved Trainers
- Learning programmes
- Trainer fact sheets
- Initial application requirements
- Trainer renewal requirements
- British Standards references
- Qualification structures
- Overseas Affiliate Trainer schemes
- and International Membership pathways.

Broadly speaking, NASDU disciplines are currently broken down into:

🐕 Security Disciplines

• General Purpose Security Dog
(Level 2 & Level 3)

• Detection Dog Disciplines including:
– Passive Drug Detection
– Proactive Drug Detection
– Explosive Detection
– Pyrotechnic Detection
– To***co Detection
– Live Person (Vehicle) Detection

🐕 Non- Security Disciplines

• Search & Rescue
– Air Scent
– Tracking / Trailing
– Victim (Cadaver)
– Water Submerged Cadaver

• Other
– Fire Investigation
– Bed Bug Detection

The NASDU website also contains information regarding:

- Affiliate Overseas Trainers;
- Overseas Company Membership;
- International Members;
- transfer of Military and Police qualifications into the civilian sector;
- CPD expectations;
- and ongoing trainer approval requirements.

The NASDU website contains information regarding Approved Trainers, Affiliate Trainer Overseas Scheme, Company Membership, International Members and current qualification pathways.

Useful links:

"NASDU Approved Trainer Information (Core Disciplines)"
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/how-to-become-a-nasdu-approved-instructor-trainer-delivering-core-disciplines

"NASDU Approved Trainer Information (Non-Core Disciplines)"
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/how-to-become-a-nasdu-approved-instructor-trainer-delivering-non-core-disciplines

"Affiliate Trainer (Overseas Scheme)"
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/affiliate-trainer-overseas-scheme

"Current NASDU Approved Trainers"
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/current-approved-instructors-trainers

"International Members & Overseas Affiliates"
https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/international-members

21/05/2026

Worth a look for anyone involved in security and or detection dog handling or wider incident response environments.

JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles) is widely used across the emergency services and focuses on communication, coordination and joint working during incidents.

There is also a free app available which contains guidance, principles and incident management resources which may be useful to handlers, trainers and operational teams.

Principles for joint working The principles for joint working should be used during all phases ...

17/05/2026

📸 Calling all NASDU Approved Trainers

We would really like to start sharing more photographs and positive news stories from courses, End Point Assessments, annual assessments, re-teams and continuation training across all NASDU disciplines — not just the core pathways.

If you are running courses or assessments and would like NASDU to help recognise and promote the work being carried out, please feel free to:

• Tag NASDU in your Facebook or LinkedIn posts
• Share successful EPA / assessment photographs
• Share team achievements, course completions and certification moments
• Send photographs and short summaries to:
📧 [email protected]

People are often quick to criticise or highlight negatives within the industry, but not always as quick to promote, acknowledge and showcase the huge amount of good work taking place around the country every week.

We would like to do more to recognise the professionalism, standards and ongoing work being carried out across all NASDU disciplines and specialisms.

16/05/2026

📌 Contact & Communication – NASDU Inspectorate

As I am now around six weeks into my role as Head of Canine Standards & Compliance with NASDU, I am receiving a significant increase in enquiries, calls, messages and requests across multiple platforms.

To ensure matters are dealt with consistently and properly recorded, the preferred first point of contact for all Inspectorate, standards, compliance or trainer-related matters — including non-compliance concerns — is:

📧 [email protected]

General administration enquiries should continue to be directed to:

📧 [email protected]

Please avoid using Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn messages, WhatsApp or personal mobile contact for formal NASDU business wherever possible.

As I do not work fixed office hours and am frequently travelling. Routine out-of-hours communication via my private mobile number or WhatsApp is discouraged wherever possible unless genuinely operationally necessary.

This is not intended to be unhelpful, but simply reflects the practicalities of the role:

• Matters often require logging, referencing and appropriate triage
• Some enquiries require internal discussion before guidance can be provided
• Email provides a clear audit trail for standards and compliance matters

Where appropriate, telephone calls or Teams meetings can absolutely be arranged; however, these will generally be scheduled following initial email contact.

Information regarding NASDU qualifications, disciplines and how to become a NASDU Approved Trainer can also be found via the NASDU website.

For clarity, members of the NASDU Management Committee continue to have direct access to me via mobile and WhatsApp where required.

This process will help ensure enquiries are prioritised appropriately and responded to as efficiently and consistently as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Simon Mallin
Head of Canine Standards & Compliance
NASDU