Launch of first class of new firearm and explosive detector dogs
Australian Federal Police National Canine Operations Centre, Pialligo ACT
12 July 2010
[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]
Can I firstly acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. I acknowledge the AFP Acting Commissioner, Peter Drennan, National Manager Aviation Shane Connelly, Director of Detector Dog Program for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Mr Glenn Scutts.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the AFP National Canine Operations Centre. Thank you for attending this event to witness the opening of the first training course for the firearms and explosive detector dogs since the government's provision of additional funding for enhanced capability at our major airports.
As a part of its commitment to improving border security, in March 2010 the government announced additional funding of $17.8 million over four years, to increase the number of AFP firearm and explosive detector dogs [FEDD] at major international Australian airports. This funding will be directed at establishing and deploying 17 additional teams to major Australian international airports, over this financial year. This represents a 50 per cent increase of FEDD capability in major international airports across Australia.
Funding also provides for additional infrastructure required to develop and maintain the enhanced capability including six national training positions and a Kennel Manager position at the AFP National Canine Operations Centre.
The first training course that forms part of the enhanced canine capability commences today.
Five AFP officers have been teamed with candidate dogs and they will train together for 13 weeks. The FEDD teams will be trained in capabilities that allow them to provide broad screening across a wide variety of search areas, including airport terminals, baggage carousels, aircraft vehicles and freight.
The additional FEDD teams will enable ongoing and improved capacity to complement other aviation security measures, including the provision of highly mobile, effective, non-intrusive explosive detection screening and the ability to detect a range of military and commercial explosive mixtures, including weapons.
After graduation, the five teams undertaking this first program will be deployed across the three largest international airports in Australia and we wish, of course, the members well in their training and prospective deployments.
Three more training courses will be held over the next year, producing 12 more FEDD teams, bringing the total number of graduates to 17. These 12 dogs will be deployed over the course of the next 12 months in major international airports, at locations determined by intelligence and operational needs of the Australian Federal Police.
It should be noted that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service breeding program provides the Australian Federal Police with its Labrador detector dogs. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service are at the forefront in breeding high quality detention canines specific to the needs of the aviation environment.
The ongoing support of Australian Customs and Border Protection Service breeding program has been an integral part in the enhancement of the Australian Federal Police canine capability.
The provision of these dogs by Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, and the training provided by the Australian Federal Police is a further example of the ongoing cooperation between both agencies.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure you will join with me in wishing the new handlers and, of course, the dogs every success as they embark on this very difficult training program and their very important role, their very important new role in protecting Australia's skies.
