The Queensland Police Service’s (QPS’s) Dog Squad has celebrated its 50th anniversary.
An event involving past and present Police Dog Handlers was also attended by representatives of Australian and New Zealand law enforcement Dog Agencies and the family of dog handler, Senior Constable Norm Watt, who was killed on duty by a gunman on 21 July, 2000.
One of the first QPS Dog Squad handlers, former Constable First Class Charlie Degnan, was among the speakers at the function.
The QPS Dog Squad was established in December 1972, after Constable Degnan and fellow officer, David Laird and their German Shepherds, Lobo and Rolf, took part in a guard dog training course at the Royal Australian Air Force base in Toowoomba.
Since that time, 472 police dogs have served the community, teamed with 179 Police Dog Handlers, with the QPS Dog Squad providing front-line operational support in all major residential areas in Queensland.
Police dogs are assigned to specific handlers who are sworn police officers, with each dog/handler referred to as a team.
The QPS Dog Squad currently comprises 68 General Purpose teams, 14 specialist Detection Dog teams, six Firearm and Explosive Detection Dog teams and one Special Emergency Response Dog team.
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan said the Dog Squad had made a significant impact on policing in Queensland over the past 50 years.
“Developing from a Brisbane-based squad, the QPS Dog Squad has expanded and now operates in every policing region of Queensland,” Mr Ryan said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Taylor said the Dog Squad had become an integral part of front-line service delivery to the community of Queensland.
“Dogs provide a unique support service in their ability to detect drugs, firearms, cash, explosives, blood, human remains and electronic storage devices, as well as general policing duties,” Deputy Commissioner Taylor said.
