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Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced plans to expand the National Explosive Detection Canine Team Program to 10 transit systems.

Law enforcement officers from Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Port Authority Trans-Hudson, Chicago Transit Authority, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Maryland Transit Administration, San Francisco Municipal Railway and San Diego Trolley will attend a 10-week TSA Explosives Detection Canine Handler Course beginning next month.

During the course, law enforcement officers will be matched with a TSA canine, and trained in dog handling and search techniques. After graduating, teams will return to their respective systems for local training and certification.

"Expanding the canine program to mass transit and commuter-rail systems allows TSA to partner with local resources to protect this critical piece of the transportation network," said Kip Hawley, assistant secretary of homeland security for TSA, in a prepared statement.

TSA’s canine team program primarily has focused on airports. TSA funds the training and partially reimburses the participating agencies for associated costs, such as salaries, overtime, canine food and veterinary care.