The Australian Federal Police has thrown open its detector dogs’ kennels to the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Darwin-based detector dogs as part of a national sharing trend.
Commander of the ABF, Chris Collingwood said its Detector Dog and AFP National Canine programs had enjoyed a close relationship for some time.
“Last year, both Agencies agreed to more actively pursue joint training, operations and consolidation of kennel facilities across the country,” Commander Collingwood said.
“From a community protection perspective, this relocation is a fantastic outcome for Darwin. We already work very closely with the AFP to keep the community safe. Now we will be able to take that one step further.”
He said the AFP facility was excellent and relatively new, so it made sense for the ABF to move across from its older and smaller facility.
“Our two handlers and three detector dogs have now been relocated,” Commander Collingwood said.
“I’m pleased to report that the dogs have been settling in well to their new accommodation and getting on with the existing canines on site.
“This is actually extremely important, as the welfare of our dogs is taken very seriously and is vital for their effective use.”
Superintendent Cath Grassick of the AFP said the co-location offered then police the opportunity to work even more collaboratively with their Border Force colleagues.
“Detector Dogs and their handlers are on the front line of our national security efforts, protecting Australians from dangerous goods at the border and assisting in high-risk law enforcement operations with not only the AFP and ABF but State and Territory policing Agencies as well,” Superintendent Grassick said.
She said the two Agencies had already begun kennel sharing in Sydney and Melbourne, and further opportunities were being examined in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Cairns.
