2020 had been a dog of a year, so Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) launched QCS Top Dog – a five-part series on social media showcasing the agency’s Delta Units.
The series, which kicked off last week (26 November), showcases the skills and training used by prison dog squads to keep prisons secure and officers safe.
A call was put out earlier this year to all Delta Units across Queensland to submit videos in four categories: obedience, agility, room searching and freestyle.
The submissions will be reviewed and judged by an expert panel comprising of Commissioner Peter Martin APM, Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations and previous Townsville Correctional Centre dog handler, Gary McCahon, and Statewide Development and Standards, Dog Squad Alan Swann.
Townsville Correctional Complex is represented by two officers and four dogs in the statewide competition, Luke with General Purpose (GD) Dog Diesel and Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) Dog Ernie and Ryan with GP Dog Tallis and PADD Dog Cooper.
Luke and Diesel
Luke and Ernie
General Manager Townsville Correctional Complex, A/g Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw said that the handlers and dogs at TCC were a competitive bunch and were keen to bring the title back to Townsville.
“Our Delta Units are essential to the safety and security of the complex and are highly trained and respected members of our staffing cohort,” Chief Superintendent Kneeshaw said.
“The last Top Dog competition was held in 2015, and dog hander Luke and General Purpose dog Diesel still hold that title, so we are confident that they will be in the running to bring it back to Townsville, where it belongs.”
You can view the first episode and follow the competition by visiting the
