Senior Constable Joel Davidson and Police Dog Buzz have only been working in Townsville for one week, but Buzz has already got multiple arrests under his collar.
After five years in Mount Isa, Senior Constable Joel Davidson and Buzz have moved to Townsville Dog Squad.
"I started my career as a police dog handler in the Mount Isa Dog Squad with my first Police Dog Gilly," Senior Constable Davidson said.
"After Gilly was medically retired with arthritis in 2023, I got Buzz. He wasn't yet qualified, so we finished training him, then went to Brisbane and he qualified as a Police Dog, but we still train every day. He is only two years old, so we do intense training every night to keep him progressing.
"What I like most about working with a Police Dog, is I like being able to catch the guys the other police can't.
"Buzz keeps me on my toes. He likes to remind me that he's the one that does the driving and I'm just a passenger. It has taken time to build a bond with him."
On February 3 and 4, Senior Constable Davidson and Buzz completed two successful tracks which resulted in seven arrests.
"There's no device out there that can do what a police dog can do, you can't beat a dog's nose," Senior Constable Davidson said.
"Buzz has really hit the ground running, he enjoys tracking, that's his thing. After a successful track, whether it be operational or training, Buzz loves playing with his toys as a treat.
Senior Constable Davidson said Buzz is a polar opposite of his first dog Gilly.
"Gilly was a fantastic dog. He caught a lot of people and had a lot of success in Mount Isa. Buzz is a little more complicated to handle, he's teaching me a lot. He's still very young, he's only two years old. He has only been operational for less than six months, but from the early signs he is showing me he's got all the answers. He's already had a lot of wins and he comes from a good bloodline. His father was one of the best police dogs in the state. The sky's the limit for him.
"One of the best feelings you can have as a dog handler is finding someone who wasn't going to be found if it wasn't for your dog. It makes you proud, at the end of a track after catching someone and the dog knows it too. He is super happy about it.
Townsville Dog Squad Officer in Charge Sergeant Nathan Hester said it was great to welcome Senior Constable Davidson and Buzz to the team.
"It is fantastic to have an additional officer and dog in the Dog Squad and Joel and Buzz have already proved themselves as valuable members of the team.
"They had an outstanding first week on the job in Townsville and made a significant contribution to the operations and the work being done to fight property crime. I am confident Joel and Buzz will have many more successful tracks," Sergeant Nathan Hester said.
The Body Worn Vision is from two successful tracks in the last week.
Around 11.30pm on February 3, Senior Constable Davidson and Buzz successfully tracked two offenders in Mount St John.
A 37-year-old Aitkenvale man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing tainted property and driving without a licence. He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on February 9.
A 37-year-old Hermit Park man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possessing tainted property. He was refused bail and is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on March 5.
On February 4 around 11.30pm, Senior Constable Davidson and Buzz located five offenders hiding in bushes after the stolen Isuzu MU-X they were allegedly travelling in was intercepted with a tyre deflation device on Weston Street, Mount Louisa.
A 15-year-old Deerugun boy, a 14-year-old Palm Island boy and a 13-year-old Kirwan boy were all charged with enter dwelling and commit and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. They were refused bail.
A 15-year-old Belgian Gardens boy was charged with enter dwelling and commit, stealing and three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He was refused bail.
A 10-year-old Kirwan boy was charged with enter dwelling and commit and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He is due to appear in Townsville Childrens Court on February 9.
