Minister for Police Mark Ryan and Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor joined past and present Queensland Police Service dog handlers last night to mark 50 years of police dogs’ service to the Queensland community.
The event was attended by past and present QPS dog handlers, representatives of Australian and New Zealand law enforcement dog agencies, and the family of dog handler Senior Constable Norm Watt, who was tragically killed on duty by a gunman on July 21, 2000.
One of the first QPS Dog Squad handlers, former Constable First Class Charlie Degnan, was among the speakers to address the attendees at the function.
The QPS Dog Squad was established in December 1972, after he and fellow officer David Laird and their German Shepherds Lobo and Rolf participated 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, handled by 179 police dog handlers, with the QPS Dog Squad providing frontline 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 Team dog team.
The 50th anniversary function was also an opportunity for Minister Ryan and Deputy Commissioner Taylor to present the annual Norm Watt Award and the Ian Jamieson Award, both of which acknowledge achievements in core duties or improvements in capability or training.
Minister 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 throughout the state of Queensland,” the Minister said.
“The relationship between police dogs and their handlers is legendary, with dogs becoming valued family members, and remaining so after their retirement.
“This relationship is reflected in the extraordinary teamwork performed day and night by these dedicated QPS members and the immense community interest and support for our police dogs and handlers.”
Deputy Commissioner 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.
“Thanks to their innate skills, enthusiasm for working and unwavering loyalty to their handlers, the Dog Squad has gone from strength to strength since its humble beginnings in 1972.”
