The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department currently has eleven (11) K-9 teams assigned to the Explosive Detection Canine Unit. Upon selection into the unit, corporals will attend the TSA National Explosive Detection Canine Handler Course located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,Texas.

During this challenging ten (10) week training course, officers will be paired with an explosive detection canine  partner and work in concert  through a variety of training scenarios. These scenarios will include the searches of luggage, vehicles, terminal, cargo, and aircraft sweeps.

Upon successful completion of the training program, handlers will return home to Reagan National and Dulles International Airport with their newly assigned canine partner for additional acclimation training in an airport environment. K9 teams are re-certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on an annual basis.