A group of eight general duty dogs and their handlers graduated from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy at a ceremony held today in a bid to ensure officer safety in prisons across Queensland in what is the largest ever general duties dog graduation.
An extra general duty dog and its handler from the South Australian Department for Correctional Services also graduated as a part of QCS’ ongoing capability-building relationships with other jurisdictions.
Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Martin APM congratulated the nine graduates for completing the 12-week general duties dog course.
“The rigorous course consisted of practical assessments after training in obedience and tracking, article searching, first aid, animal care and the principles of dog training for the handlers,” Commissioner Martin said.
The graduating dogs and their handlers will join their colleagues at a number of correctional centres within Queensland Corrective Services and interstate, including:
- CS Dog Hela to Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Drizz to Brisbane Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Atlas and CS Dog Lobo to Lotus Glen Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Mayhem to Maryborough Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Jax and CS Dog Rocket to Wolston Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Sterlo to Woodford Correctional Centre
- CS Dog Roy to the South Australian Department for Correctional Services.
Handlers Scott and David graduated with new partners Jax and Drizz after the sad loss of Tyson and Jet, their previous general duties dogs, last year.
Commissioner Martin thanked the dedicated and hardworking training team for providing the high-standard K9 training.
“The training the graduates received is amongst the world’s finest, and will prepare them for any challenges they may face.
“Our highly-skilled dog squad officers work closely with corrective services officers and emergency response teams to provide the highest security and response capability to keep our prisons safe and secure,” he said.
As well as the graduating dogs and their handlers, two officers received certificates for completing the Instructor Program for general duties dogs and one officer from Wolston Correctional Centre received the Australian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Medal for 15 years long and diligent service.
