It’s tails up for Harvey, Shadow, Shaq, Jet, Forest and Derek who are embarking on new careers with paws firmly on the frontline of community safety as new Queensland Corrective Services recruits.
The canine pack is among six Queensland Corrective Services dogs and two Dog Squad Instructors graduating today from 12 weeks of General-Purpose and Passive Alert Drug Detection training.
In all, 70 new Custodial Corrections Officers graduated at a ceremony in Wacol, led by Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh, after successfully completing a 10-week Custodial Officer Entry Program.
The former mine workers, restaurant managers and real estate agents have trained in conflict management, tactical skills, intensive operational deployment and prisoner rehabilitation.
In coming days, 70 new Custodial Correctional Officers will start postings to Arthur Gorrie, Brisbane, Brisbane’s Women’s, Maryborough, Southern, Wolston, Woodford and Borallon Training, and Correctional Centres and the Escort and Security Branch.
Graduating General-purpose corrections dogs and Passive Alert Drug Detection dogs, like Forest and Derek, and their handlers will be assigned to Arthur Gorrie, Brisbane, Woodford, Lotus Glen and Townsville.
Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd said, “The 70 new Custodial Corrections Officers, Corrective Services dogs and instructors graduating today join more than 700 new QCS officers trained in the last year for fulfilling frontline safety careers.”
“Over the last 12 months, Academy instructors have collectively clocked up more than 250,000 hours of intensive, new officer training to boost safety and reduce reoffending.”
QCS Commissioner Paul Stewart APM, said, “Congratulations to all our new colleagues graduating today and thank you to all the trainers and instructors for equipping our new officers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively deal with challenging situations.”
“Our officers are our greatest asset, and we thank them all for their commitment to protecting the safety of Queensland communities.
“Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.”
David Hurikino, Acting Dog Squad State Manager, QCS, said,
“It is a privilege to welcome the new handlers and dogs to the QCS Dog Squad knowing they will be a vital asset to their correctional centres.”
“The three months of rigorous, specialised training culminates with the “Tactical Dog Team”, operational deployment training phase of the course. It has been designed to equip handlers with the skills necessary to resolve security incidents.
“The bond between a corrective services dog and their handler is a deep one, built over countless hours of training, working, and living together. It is a bond unlike any other and is something that will stay with the officer forever.”
“Together with their general duties and passive alert drug detection dogs, the officers will be providing the highest security and response capability, responding to emergency situations and keeping our prisons safe every day.”
