MEMBERSHIP

VPCA Membership

The Virginia Police Canine Foundation (VPCA), formed in 2000, comprises active and retired federal, state, local, and private law enforcement and criminal justice agency K-9 trainers, handlers, and supervisors. Members also include those involved in law enforcement or law enforcement-related occupations or individuals sincerely interested in advancing the law enforcement canine handler profession.

Membership Categories

Membership in the Virginia Police Canine Association shall consist of three classes: Active, Senior, and Associate.

• Active memberships shall consist only of those who are actively engaged as canine handlers of certified law enforcement agencies that operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia and persons who were law enforcement canine handlers and are now employed as canine trainers of such agencies.

• Senior memberships shall consist of those who wish to remain active in the Association upon leaving their canine team or retiring from the law enforcement profession. Upon regular payments of dues of an amount to be determined by the Executive Board, such members shall be entitled to all privileges and benefits of the Association.

• Associate memberships shall include those persons involved in law enforcement or law enforcement-related occupations or individuals sincerely interested in advancing the law enforcement canine handler profession but not eligible for Active membership. Associate members shall be permitted to attend the Midyear and Annual Meetings, participate in discussions but shall have no vote, shall not be eligible to hold office in the Association, and shall not be counted to determine a quorum or majority for any purpose.

Membership Dues

The dues of the Association are determined by the Executive Board and are paid annually. Current membership dues for January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023, will be $35.

A member of the Association shall be considered suspended from membership for failure to pay annual dues on time. Upon eliminating the cause of suspension, the suspended Member may be reinstated by the Executive Board.

Membership Opportunities

All VPCA members have the opportunity to serve on Association Committees. We want to know if you are interested in serving in one of these capacities. If you have any questions about serving or would like to serve, please contact VPCA Secretary Jimmy Arrington.