Brothers who work together in law enforcement are nothing new. But Glyn and Gazz have crossed the continent to work side by side at Perth Airport.
The three-year-old Labrador Retrievers are expertly trained detection dogs who play a critical role in keeping Australia safe, working for different agencies.
Glyn is an explosives detection dog (EDD) with the AFP. He sniffs out potential weapons or explosive threats and uses his canine senses to zero in on the tiniest scent of danger.
Gazz is a narcotic detection dog (NDD) with Australian Border Force (ABF). He hunts for evidence of illicit drugs hidden in luggage, shipping containers, air freight, mail parcels, on people or anywhere else smugglers might stash them.
By day, the brothers put their extensive training to good use in and around the airport precinct.
By night, they shed the harnesses and put their paws up to share quality time at their custom-made housing facility, which contains an agility yard and a swimming pool.
It's an unbreakable bond, but the relationship with their handlers is even more crucial in safeguarding Australia's national security.
AFP Leading Senior Constable Dominic Eynon-Williams has been with the agency since 2022 -after more than 20 years in law enforcement with other agencies - and joined the National Canine Operations team in 2023.
He became Glyn's handler that same year when they graduated together - Glyn at the top of his class - and they've been offsiders ever since.
The pair have a huge role at the airport, but that's not where their protective remit ends. Among notable jobs, they've conducted explosive detections sweeps for visits to the west by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, helping to ensure his safety and security.
They've also performed sweeps of Perth's biggest stadiums ahead of monster sporting events and concerts and even met Pop Princess Kylie Minogue when she cruised through the airport during a world tour.
"Glyn and I have a really strong connection and clicked from the moment we were partnered together, which is vital in this line of work," LSC Eynon-Williams said.
"We have full trust in one another; we couldn't perform this role successfully if that wasn't the case.
"He's my best buddy, and we have plenty of fun, but I never lose sight of the fact he's not my pet.
"We're work colleagues who have been entrusted by the AFP to keep the community safe, and that incredibly important responsibility always comes first."
Part of a puppy litter born and bred in Melbourne in 2023, Glyn and Gaz were chosen to cross the country because of their high drive to work, search skills and unflappable nature.
"It's not that common to have more than one dog from the same litter working at the same airport, but we did have three brothers in Perth a few years ago," LSC Eynon-Williams said.
"Maybe we get lucky here in the west, it's pretty special."
Leading Border Force Officer Stephen Bateman joined the ABF in 2017 through the Border Force Officer Recruit Training program, with the goal to become a detector dog handler.
He and Gazz trained together as a rookie handler and dog at the ABF's National Detector Dog Program Facility in Melbourne. Now based in Perth, they are also deployed interstate as required.
"In an operational environment, Gazz is driven and determined. He's focused on ensuring he thoroughly covers every part of the location or person he's searching," Leading Border Force Officer Bateman said.
"These are some of the traits we look for both in our detector dog breeding program, and when training our dogs and handlers.
"This paid off in one of our best recent finds. While searching an air cargo warehouse in Sydney, Gazz reacted to a package, and inside we found 1kg of methamphetamine concealed within a statue.
"Meanwhile, when he's off duty, Gazz is a playful, fun-loving dog who loves jumping into the pool, going for a run and his dinner."
The ABF Detector Dog Program breeds about 160 Labrador Retrievers per year. They grow up to become detector dogs for the ABF and partner agencies including the AFP, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, state and territory police, and international partners.
The program is continually seeking foster carers in Melbourne, Greater Geelong, Ballarat or Whittlesea to help raise pups for their first 12 months.
