A two-year-old Labrador Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) Dog has joined the ranks of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre after graduating from training at the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Academy.
The dog, Marvel, is to sniff out contraband, boosting safety for QCS officers, visitors and prisoners.
General Manager of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Gabby Payne said the QCS was committed to making correctional centres as safe as possible.
“Drug detection dogs and their handlers provide an important response capability, supporting our officers in the detection of contraband to disrupt and cease its distribution and supply,” Chief Superintendent Payne said.
She said Marvel was one of two dogs to graduate the recent PADD course, with the second dog, 18-month-old Labrador Harry, being deployed to Borallon Training and Correctional Centre.
Chief Superintendent Payne said the new dogs and their handlers completed a rigorous three-month training course, covering obedience, agility, tracking, property searches and operational deployment strategies.
Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations for the QCS, Gary McCahon said the two drug detection teams would bring the number of drug dog teams working in correctional centres across the State to 41.
“PADD dogs are deployed on a daily basis to enhance barrier control measures at our centres by scanning people, mail, vehicles and correctional facilities, and assisting in the control and seizure of illicit drugs being introduced into our centres,” Deputy Commissioner McCahon said.
