Queensland Unveils Largest Police Dog Squad Ever

• The Queensland Police Service is celebrating a historic milestone with its Dog Squad, now the largest in the State's history.
• The latest graduation saw the Dog Squad grow to 115 police dogs and 95 handlers statewide.
• After Labor's decade of decline, the Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and delivering stronger laws and more police to the frontline.

The Crisafulli Government has unleashed the largest Dog Squad in Queensland Police Service history, with five new Police Dog teams graduating and strengthening frontline policing across the State.

The latest graduates - Police Dogs Hooper, Jero, Xero, Bruno and Izzy and their handlers - have completed an intensive 12-week training course and are now deployed across Moreton, Rockhampton and Townsville.

Their graduation takes Queensland's canine policing capability to a record 115 police dogs and 95 handlers operating across 15 locations statewide, marking the largest Dog Squad unit ever seen in Queensland.

The milestone follows the establishment of a new Police Dog handler position in Rockhampton, helping deliver an extra set of paws on the ground in regional Queensland.

The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer by delivering stronger laws and more police to the frontline after a decade of decline under Labor.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the record-breaking milestone reflected the Crisafulli Government's commitment to backing frontline police with the resources they need to keep Queenslanders safe.

"These remarkable dogs are more than just man's best friend, they're some of Queensland Police's best crime fighters," Minister Purdie said.

"Today marks a historic moment, with the largest Police Dog Squad capability Queensland has ever had.

"From tracking dangerous offenders and locating missing people to supporting high-risk operations, these dogs play a vital role in restoring safety to Queensland communities.

"The Crisafulli Government is backing our police with the resources they need to do their job, after years of Labor failing to properly support frontline policing.

"Every one of these graduates has earned their place through months of demanding training, and they'll now put their skills to work protecting Queenslanders from Cape York to the border."

Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said the graduation signified not only an important milestone for the handlers and their canine partners, but for frontline policing across the state.

"These police dogs and their handlers have shown immense dedication, resilience, and skill throughout the training program and their careers to date," Assistant Commissioner Wildman said.

"Police Dogs play a vital role in frontline policing, offering support which surpasses human capability.

"Our officers and police dogs are tasked with community safety and called upon in times of often high-risk situations.

"Having the largest capability in the organisation's history means that we can continue to deliver community safety where and when it is needed the most."

The Queensland Police Service Police Dog Squad was established in 1972 and has grown into one of the most highly respected canine policing capabilities in Australia.

Among the graduating class are two legacy police dogs bred from serving Police Dogs, highlighting the success of the Queensland Police Service's breeding and training program.

The graduating cohort also includes a rare father-and-son duo, Police Dogs Xero and Jero, who will now begin their frontline careers in Rockhampton and Moreton respectively.

The five graduating teams include:

1. Senior Constable Ryley Kajewski and PD Hooper – Moreton Dog Squad

1. Senior Constable Sam Stutsel and PD Jero – Moreton Dog Squad

1. Senior Constable Michael Festing and PD Xero – Rockhampton Dog Squad

1. Senior Constable Riki Stewart and PD Bruno – Rockhampton Dog Squad

1. Constable Morgan Prendergast and PD Izzy – Townsville Dog Squad