New Dog Squad unleashed to help collar criminals

• The Crisafulli Government has delivered a brand-new cohort of eight new general purpose and 15 new detection dogs to the Dog Squad.
• The graduation is the largest of its kind, and recognised the achievements of both the handlers and their canines who have completed the 12-week intensive training program.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a bolstered the police frontline and restoring safety to where you live.  

The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new generation of four-legged recruits into the Queensland Police Service, with eight general purpose dogs and 15 specialist detection dogs graduating into the Dog Squad. 

The graduation ceremony at the Dog Squad facility in Oxley, marked the end of a demanding 12-week training program designed to test the instincts, discipline and operational readiness of both the dogs and their handlers. 

From sniffing out illegal drugs to tracking dangerous offenders, these canine teams are now ready to hit the ground running in Townsville, Bundaberg, Brisbane and beyond. 

The ceremony also included the laying of 47 memorial stones, commemorating police dogs who served with courage and distinction in major investigations and high-risk incidents.

The Crisafulli Government's 2025-26 Budget is delivering the foundation to make Queensland safer, with a fully-funded $5.2 billion Making Our Community Safer Plan to prevent crime and deliver more police to the frontline. 

To ensure police are properly resourced, the Budget includes $147.9 million for new state-of-the-art police equipment including Taser 10s, Tactical First Aid Kits, portable handheld radios and Body Worn Camera replacements as well as Load Bearing Vests replacements. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the graduation was a proud moment for the Service and a powerful symbol of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to frontline safety. 

“These new Dog Squad graduates are a clear example of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to bolstering the frontline and restoring safety where you live,” Minister Purdie said. 

“Every one of these dogs and their handlers is a walking reminder that we are backing police with the tools, training and support they need to keep Queenslanders safe. 

“Whether they’re tracking offenders or sniffing out danger, these canine cops are absolutely vital to frontline policing.” 

Officer in Charge of Dog Squad, Acting Senior Sergeant Ash Purvey, said the event recognised both achievement and legacy. 

“Today we celebrate the future of canine policing in Queensland, while also recognising the dogs who paved the way with their service,” Acting Senior Sergeant Purvey said. 

“Each of the stones represent our partners and protectors – who have become part of our family.”  

The QPS Dog Squad has grown substantially since its establishment in 1972. Today, it includes 71 general purpose dogs and 20 specialist detection teams trained in areas such as narcotics, firearms, and explosives detection. 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Nat Gradwell 0449 186 116