The Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, south of Mareeba, has hosted officers from the Townsville Correctional Complex (TCC) in a joint general purpose dog handler training course.
Chief Superintendent of the Queensland Corrective Services Academy, Alan Butler said it was a practical decision for Lotus Glen to join forces with officers from Townsville.
“It enables operational agility and minimises unnecessary travel during the COVID-19 pandemic for training usually completed onsite at the Dog Squad Complex in Wacol,” Chief Superintendent Butler said.
“Due to the importance of our dog squad program and the value Queensland Correctional Service (QCS) dogs add to correctional centre security, this essential training could not be delayed.”
He said the pandemic had changed how QCS conducted all its operational training.
“I commend our agile training officers for their work to complete these regional certifications, while minimising essential travel,” Chief Superintendent Butler said.
“The 12-week general purpose dog handler training program has a strong focus on safety and security, with graduates playing a vital role in emergency response and de-escalation on deployment to a correctional centre.”
He said core competencies of the course included obedience, agility, searching, bite work and handler scenario training.
Chief Superintendent Butler said there was a high level of skill and commitment invested in the training of the handlers and their dogs.
“General purpose dogs and their handlers require specific skills to manage risks and contain situations safely within correctional centres,” he said.
“Our world-class course is designed to ensure these skills are attained to the highest standard to ensure the safety and security of our centres and the broader community,” he said.
