Sniffer Dogs

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail click here!

New canine recruits sniff out danger in bomb squad

New canine recruits sniff out danger in bomb squad
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Darrell Giles

August 09, 2009 12:00am

TRAIN passengers will be checked for bombs and guns as part of a new anti-terrorist initiative by the State Government.

The unprecedented move comes in the wake of recent bombings in Indonesia and anti-terrorist raids by federal and state police in Melbourne last week.

Police Minister Neil Roberts and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan will today announce that, while there had been no specific threats, a specially-trained labrador explosives sniffer dog would start patrolling urban trains immediately. They said more dogs were likely to be added to the bomb-hunting squad in future.

"This is the first time a firearms and explosives detection dog had been used for regular patrols on a rail network in Australia," Mr Roberts said.

"The FEDD team will perform regular patrols with other railway squad members to enhance safety across the urban rail network."

Ms Nolan said people should not be concerned if they saw the bomb dog ? which goes by the name of Homer ? on the train.

"He is simply performing regular patrols and his presence does not mean there is a threat to public safety," Ms Nolan said.

Ms Nolan said Homer would initially focus on busy stations around inner Brisbane but would eventually cover the entire rail network.

Each FEDD dog costs about $80,000 a year.

Sen-Sgt Ray Vine, officer in charge of the QPS railway squad, said the bomb dog had been trained to detect explosives and firearms by quietly patrolling and sniffing, with minimal disturbance to the public.

In another security measure, Premier Anna Bligh is meeting this week to discuss the safety of government infrastructure, including ports. It follows environmental protesters breaking in and chaining themselves to a coal terminal at Mackay last week to coincide with the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns, hosted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

[ozbob]

These patrols should be extended to the major bus stations as well!

Prevention is better than a cure ...

[ozbob]

Maybe it is time the QPS (Queensland Police Service) Railway squad was expanded and renamed the QPS Public Transport squad?

[ozbob]

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
09/08/2009

NEW ANTI-TERRORIST MEASURE ON QUEENSLAND TRAINS

Queensland's first bomb dog is set to start working on the State's train network in an unprecedented anti-terrorist initiative by the State Government.

The trial measure comes in the wake of recent bombings in Indonesia and the anti-terrorist raids in Victoria and could be extended if the terrorist treat in Australia heightens.

The investment means the first specially trained three year old Labrador dog will be working across the urban trains network, Police Minister Neil Roberts and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan announced today.

"The Firearms and Explosives Detection Dog (FEDD) will patrolling Queensland Rail stations and trains with police officers and TransLink Transit Officers," said Mr Roberts.

"This is the first time a firearms and explosives detection dog had been used for regular patrols on a rail network in Australia.

"This dog and his handler have undergone specific training in recent months in the detection of explosives ma terial and firearms.

"The FEDD team will perform regular patrols with other railway squad members to enhance safety across the urban rail network.

"His canine skills combined with his training and, of course, the bond with his handler make him a very valuable addition to the wider team ensuring the community's sense of safety and security."

Mr Roberts said the recent arrests of four men in Melbourne served as a timely reminder of the need for vigilance.

"Since the threat of terrorism seriously emerged, the Queensland Government has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of public transport commuters," he said.

"This initiative is part of a wider strategy of building capacity in the area of safety and security and is the latest in a long-standing association between the QPS Railway Squad and public transport."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said rail passengers should not be concerned if they saw the dog.

"He is s imply performing regular patrols and his presence does not mean there is a threat to public safety," Ms Nolan said.

"He might look unassuming and cute but he's actually playing a very important role and applying his keen sense of smell to our collective safety.

"Our aim is to work with police to increase passengers' safety and their sense of security while using our public transport system.

"We are really pleased Brisbane is home to the nation's first firearms and explosives detection dog whose job is to regularly patrol the rail network.

"The initial focus will be on the busier stations around the Brisbane CBD, however over time the patrols will be spread across the entire rail network."

Officer in Charge of the Queensland Police Railway Squad, Senior Sergeant Ray Vine, said the bomb dog had been trained to detect explosives and firearms by quietly patrolling and sniffing, with minimal disturbance to the public.

"The thre e-year-old, pure-bred Labrador was chosen for the job because of its nature and non-aggressive interaction with the public," Snr Sgt Vine said.

"Labradors are willing to please their handler and have a great nose for the task we are asking them to do.

"He will also be available to respond to incidents where suspicious items were reported on QR property.

"For example, this dog would be able to know whether an unattended bag presented a threat or not without even needing to touch the bag."

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 August 2009

SEQ:  Proactive security measures welcome on rail network

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has welcomed the announcement today by the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services that a Firearms and Explosives Detection Dog (FEDD) will patrolling Queensland Rail stations and trains with police officers and TransLink Transit Officers (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Proactive measures are the best way forward.  We are sure the majority of public transport commuters will be comfortable with the introduction of the detection dog."

"Our suggestion is that bus stations should be included in these anti-terrorist measures with the bomb dog as well.  Many of the bus stations approach the size and passenger numbers of the major railway stations."

"RAIL Back On Track holds the Queensland Police Service Rail Squad in the highest regard.  Many of our members have attended presentations by members of the squad and are grateful for their presence on our rail network.  Not withstanding the fine job the Rail Squad does maybe it is time to consider expanding the QPS Rail Squad and renaming the rail squad the QPS Public Transport Squad?"

References:

1.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=65632

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ButFli]

Can a dog be trained to sniff for fare evaders, too? 

[ozbob]

Indeed.

This might be of interest --> http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4241

Detector Dog Program - Working with dogs to help protect Australia

Customs Detector Dog Program plays an important role in helping to protect Australia from prohibited imports such as drugs, firearms and explosives. Detector dog teams are trained to find goods hidden in luggage, parcels, mail, cargo containers, vessels, vehicles, aircraft and on people.

In the past, detector dog teams were trained to find only narcotics. In 2003, in response to the need to strengthen security requirements at Australia's border, the Detector Dog Program was expanded to include firearms and component parts, ammunition, explosives and chemical precursors. This initiative drew on the experience of both domestic and international agencies.

Customs detector dogs also support Federal, State and Territory police and other government agencies in search operations.

Customs is continually looking for ways to improve training methods and new applications for detector dog teams. This includes currency detection.

[stephenk]

Can a dog be trained to sniff for fare evaders, too?  

Do Gen-Ys have a distinctive smell then?

[ButFli]

Can a dog be trained to sniff for fare evaders, too?  

Do Gen-Ys have a distinctive smell then?

No, but I can smell blatant racism when I see it. 

[stephenk]

Can a dog be trained to sniff for fare evaders, too?  

Do Gen-Ys have a distinctive smell then?

No, but I can smell blatant racism when I see it. 

Since when have Gen-Ys been a race? 

[ButFli]

Can a dog be trained to sniff for fare evaders, too?  

Do Gen-Ys have a distinctive smell then?

No, but I can smell blatant racism when I see it. 

Since when have Gen-Ys been a race? 

Since when did I say anything about Gen-Y being a race? Did you just assume people are talking about you when they talk about racism?