United States Police Canine Association, Inc.

Bylaws-Article VIII Membership

1. Full membership to this Association shall be open to any active full time paid law enforcement officer, Federal, State, County or municipal, who is a canine handler, trainer or administrator, pending approval of regional elected officers. This shall include members of the Military Police who may be canine handlers, trainers or administrators.

A. A full member to this Association who retires while being in good standing, or no longer is a canine handler, trainer or administrator, shall retain the benefits of the Association with the exception of holding National office, or Regional presidency.

2. Any full member may continue as such in the event that they enter military service and later returns to canine law enforcement on a full time basis.

3. An Associate membership may be held in the Association under the following conditions:

1. A person who trains canines for an established law enforcement agency.
2. A retired (not a member at retirement) full time paid law enforcement officer, either Federal, State, County, or municipal, who was a canine handler, trainer or administrator.
3. Associate membership must have the approval of Regional Elected Officers.
4. Associate membership shall have voting privileges but cannot hold Regional or National office.

4. An Honorary membership may be bestowed on a person for distinguish or meritorious acts in the field of canine service.

5. There shall be a Special membership to the USPCA. These members shall be any persons so designated by a Regional Executive Board. They will hold no office or have any other privileges that pertain to a full membership in the Association. A Special member shall be liable for dues or assessments. They may attend regular meetings and may be heard at the discretion of the President. They may not vote or have any other privileges that pertain to a full membership in the Association.

6. Any member may be dropped from the Association for non-payment of dues, upon final conviction of any criminal charge, for any acts that might bring discredit to the Association or using the Association or its name for personal gain or profit. Upon notification in writing of any of these circumstances by at least two (2) members in good standing, to the Executive Board of the Region/District, the member shall be notified in writing of the circumstances charged. An investigation will be instituted by the Region/District Executive Board and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Region/District at a scheduled meeting shall cause a member to be dropped from the membership rolls (voted on and passed October 11,1985).

7. All applications for membership shall be in writing upon forms furnished for that purpose, and signed by the applicant and accompanied by the prescribed fee. If the Regional Executive Board so decides, applications may be referred to the National Executive Committee for investigation.

8. An applicant, having been elected to membership by the Region/District shall be notified and may present themselves at the next meeting and subscribe to the following pledge:

9. Once an officer is elected, they will be allowed to complete their term if they are honorably retired.

10. Lifetime Membership – If a member in good standing has paid their dues for thirty (30) consecutive years they will be considered "lifetime" members and no longer have to pay yearly National dues. They will be kept on the roll of members as long as they submit a renewal form each year.

11. Personal information of USPCA members is available for the National Executive Board only for the purpose of official USPCA business. Officers and members running for office in this Association will not use membership information for campaigning purposes. On request or receipt for a member’s information from persons other than Officers of Regions/Districts or National Executive Boards, the member is to be contacted and:

A. Be advised that a request has been made and who is making the request and

B. Giving the option to release or with hold the requested personal information.