QCS drug detection dogs graduate

Labradors Freya and Carrie will join the ranks of Queensland Corrective Services today with their official graduation from the Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) program at Speaker’s Green, Parliament House.

Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said the two-year-old dogs had spent the past three months learning important skills to prevent drugs from entering correctional centres and to maintain the security of the correctional environment.

“I’d like to congratulate Freya and her handler Jason Lim, and Carrie and her handler Paul Turnbull on a job well done,” Mr Ryan said.

“Freya and Carrie have been trained to detect heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines.

“They will join the 34 PADD dogs on duty at correctional centres across Queensland.”

Carrie and Paul Turnbull will be deployed to Townsville Correctional Complex and Freya and Jason Lim will be deployed to the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre.

“Queensland Corrective Services plays a vital role in ensuring public safety across the State through the humane containment and rehabilitation of offenders and PADD dogs and their handlers play a significant role in maintaining the safety and security of correctional environments,” Mr Ryan said.

“Carrie and Freya are joining a workforce which is doing an excellent job in an often under-recognised field.

“It isn’t an easy or glamourous job, but every single Queenslander is safer for their work, and I thank them for it.”

PADD dogs are trained to sit when they detect contraband.

ENDS

Please contact the Minister's office for photos.

Media contacts:

Minister’s office 0447 155 332

Queensland Corrective Services (07) 3898 0841