Police Dogs Lead Far North Crime Blitz

The Far North region of Queensland has witnessed significant success in its recent crime crackdown, thanks in large part to the efforts of the local police dog unit. Since the launch of the operation on August 9, police dogs have been instrumental in locating several high-risk offenders involved in property crime and domestic violence, leading to 865 people being charged with a total of 2,848 offenses.

The General Purpose Police Dogs (PDs) in the Far North have been deployed in various challenging conditions, effectively using their keen sense of smell to track offenders across rugged terrains and urban environments. Working in close collaboration with local squads such as the Tactical Crime Squad and Property Crime Squad, these dogs have played a crucial role in maintaining public safety.

Noteworthy incidents include the deployment of Police Dog Duke on August 13, who successfully tracked a 17-year-old offender to a nearby residence after a stolen vehicle was abandoned. The young man was charged with multiple offenses, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of dangerous drugs. Similarly, Police Dog Elvis was involved in apprehending a 26-year-old man in Westcourt for multiple breaches of a domestic violence order.

Detective Inspector Jason Chetham praised the unique skill set of the police dogs and their handlers, emphasizing their contribution to the region’s safety efforts. “Our general purpose police dogs are incredibly dedicated and are responsible for the arrest of hundreds of high-risk offenders,” Chetham stated. The operation continues to leverage both local and regional resources to ensure community safety remains a top priority.