Eight New Recruits Join QLD Police Dog Squad

An additional eight Police Dogs (PDs) and their handlers are set to join the Queensland Police Service (QPS) this year, as part of a boost in operational capabilities across the state.

Three of these additional handlers, alongside their general-purpose PDs, have just hit the ground running, after undergoing a 12-week State Dog Squad Training and Development course to get them ready for deployment.

They are part of a cohort of five QPS officers total, who graduated with their PDs at the end of June.

The recruits were put through their paces at the Dog Squad complex over the past few months, learning obedience, tracking, searching and operational skills, but above all else, learning to work as a team.

Dog Squad Training and Development Centre Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan Chirio said the dogs are exposed to different stimuli during the course, so they can work in a real operational environment.

"At the end of the 12 weeks, we're looking for a very well-rounded dog who is not afraid to go into dark spaces, into crowded areas, we're looking for a dog that is comfortable in all environments," A/Senior Sergeant Chirio said.

He says the course also helps develop a working relationship between the handlers and their PDs.

"The resilience that our dogs and handlers have shown during this course makes me very confident that they'll be very successful Police Dogs."

Police Dog Handler, Senior Constable Jack Bright recently finished the course with his 18-month-old PD Axe and the pair are now deployed to the Gold Coast.

"Axe is full of character, full of spunk. He's my best mate," Senior Constable Bright said.

Acting Superintendent Mark Bradford said the extra paws-on-deck will be welcome additions for the Districts, particularly when it comes to patrols and tracking offenders who flee scenes of crime.

"The handlers are out there 24/7, supporting our Districts and most importantly, keeping our community safe," A/Superintendent Bradford said.

"They fill a capability gap by being able to track the offender, locate them and arrest them."

Of the eight growth positions, two police dogs and their handlers were deployed to Ipswich and the Darling Downs earlier this year.

Darling Downs Detective Inspector Heath McQueen said it is already evident the impact the additional Dog Squad position is having on the District's operational capabilities.

"The dog and their handler completed their training in April and hit the ground running, and they've had some early success catching offenders in the Darling Downs," Detective Inspector McQueen said.

"I'm really buoyed by the boost in capability for our area."

Police Dogs start their training at the Academy from as early as eight weeks old and their personality, and breed will eventually determine whether they become general purpose or detection dogs with the QPS.

Twelve-week-old German Shepherd puppies Archie and Arlo are two of the younger recruits currently on site.

They are taking part in their own puppy socialisation course, so they too can become working PDs one day.

"We're looking for a dog that loves to play, that is food-driven and love a food reward and is also ball-driven," A/Senior Sergeant Chirio said.

"Their training will progress over the next 2-3 years before they become really competent, operational dogs."

Fast Facts:

• 8 new growth positions in the Dog Squad this year.
• 2 PDs and handlers were deployed in the Darling Downs and Ipswich Districts earlier this year.
• Of the 3 extra PDs and handlers who finished training last week, 2 have been deployed to Brisbane, 1 has been deployed to Cairns.
• 5 total PDs and handlers finished their course at the end of June (2 filling existing positions in Mount Isa and Gold Coast).
• The final 3 new PDs and handlers will complete training later in the year, where 2 will be deployed to Brisbane and 1 will go to Townsville.
• There are also 5 new positions at the Dog Squad's State Training and Development Centre.