Editor’s note: Images available via Hightail

The AFP has today at Australian Parliament House showcased the skills and dedication of canines trained in world-leading technology detection and new high risk explosive detection.

Parliamentarians were given a demonstration by the AFP’s Crime Fighting Canines that are helping keep Australians safe.

The AFP’s canines are often on the frontline with AFP members when warrants are being executed and have been instrumental in identifying evidence that has led to the conviction of a number of offenders.

The AFP National Canine Operations (NCO) trains canines in explosives, technology and currency firearms and drugs.

AFP Commander Geoff Turner said a new innovation called, High Risk Explosive Detection Dog (HREDD) Capability, allowed handlers to effectively deploy dogs under control, at distance, in multiple environments.

“Extensive research was conducted when developing HREDD capability, including methodologies from the US Air Force, international military working dog methodologies and hunting and retrieval methodologies,” Commander Turner said.

The demonstration at Australian Parliament House showed dogs being controlled off-lead using hand directions and communication tools such as silent whistles and lasers. This is considered world-leading capability.

The AFP has the largest law enforcement Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) capability in the Southern Hemisphere, with 58 EDDs across Australia.

AFP NCO also demonstrated the AFP’s world-class Technology Detection Dog (TDD) capability. TDDs can find memory storage devices such as USBs, hard drives, mobile phones, storage device cards and SIM cards.

“Only the very best detection dogs are capable of becoming a TDD. The AFP has 13 TDDs that are deployed across Australia,” Commander Turner said.

“TDDs improve the ability of investigators to locate and seize devices that may hold evidentiary information in support of investigations. The TDDs travel around Australia, to assist with resolution activities across all crime types.”

The AFP pioneered the TDD capability within Australia. TDDs have been used across multiple crime types and have helped investigators locate a large number of items, including items that contained child abuse material (CAM). As a result of complex concealment methods these items may have otherwise been missed by humans during a traditional hand search.

Between January 2021 to November 2022, the AFP TDD conducted 160 searches that successfully located 691 electronic storage devices.

“TDDs have been successful in locating such devices hidden everywhere from wall cavities, Esky’s full of food and even hidden in plain sight as pieces of fruit within a fruit bowl,’’ Commander Turner said.

The AFP uses a number of different breeds across multiple disciplines. For detection work the Labrador breed is predominantly used.

The dogs start their training from 10 weeks of age through the AFP Puppy Development Program. On average, the dogs will have a working life of seven to nine years.

Once the dogs reach this age they are considered for retirement. Retired dogs are adopted out, generally to the current handler where they go on to live a relaxing retirement lifestyle.

“Dogs have proven to be a highly-capable law enforcement tool. International studies have identified that we have only scratched the surface in what they can achieve on an olfactory level (sense of smell),’’ Commander Turner said.

“Dogs conducting detection work sniff between five to 10 times a second, inhaling with one nostril and exhaling through the other. Their smell processing capacity is 40 times stronger than humans, and studies have shown they can find a scent as faint as one part per million. 

“Dogs have significant genetic abilities that far surpass any technology available on the market to date. It is critical that law enforcement continue to research and develop new concepts with our canine partners in crime fighting to ensure consistent evolution.”

Through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Australian Government’s $55 million National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse other funding, the Commonwealth has provided funding to develop canine capability for the AFP.

How has Parliament helped the AFP with the canines (POCA)?

Parliamentary contribution has played a significant role in supporting AFP NCO in training canine capabilities to meet the threat of emerging crime types.

A funding amount of $1,300,853 staged over four years (2020-2024) was granted to the AFP under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to develop and enhance a TDD capability targeting concealed technical devices. This funding was initially to procure and train four TDDs with the capability to enable the discovery and collection of evidence which would otherwise be unable to be detected.

Additional funding was sourced to build critical infrastructure associated with the development of the TDD capability. After the initial success of the TDD program, AFP NCO, as part of the Australian Government’s $55 million National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, was granted $3.8 million over four years to train an additional eight TDD teams. The AFP has 13 operational TDD teams across Australia.

Why is it important that the AFP has a canine program?

Dogs have proven to be a highly-capable law enforcement tool. International studies have identified that we have only scratched the surface in what they can achieve on an olfactory level (sense of smell). Dogs conducting detection work sniff between five to 10 times a second, inhaling with one nostril and exhaling through the other. Their smell processing capacity is 40 times stronger, and studies have shown they can find a scent as faint as one part per million. 

Dogs have significant genetic abilities that far surpass any technology available on the market to date. It is critical that law enforcement continue to research and develop new concepts with our canine partners in crime fighting to ensure consistent evolution.  

AFP NCO capabilities are considered world class and serve as focal point for our state police canine units and international partners. The AFP is committed to providing continued mentorship to our stakeholders on a domestic and international level.

To highlight the AFP’s continued commitment, the AFP will host the inaugural Australia – New Zealand Police Canine Skills Enhancement Program (ANZPCSEP) at the NCOC in November 2023.

By hosting the inaugural ANZPCSEP program, the AFP and NCO will demonstrate its willingness to take a leadership role in shaping the future Police Canine Practices, therefore safeguarding the continued development and evolution of both the TDD and HREDD capabilities nationally and internationally.

Case studies

Child exploitation material

• AFP Canine made an important discovery in a recent AFP/Victoria Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team search warrant. Police seized a number of electronic devices, while AFP Forensics found a number of hidden electronic devices, including two USB drives hidden in the back of a picture canvas. AFP canine then found a further device containing a microSD.

Illicit drugs and child exploitation material

• AFP canine assisted NSW Police with an investigation into alleged drug and child exploitation offences. An AFP canine assisted during the search warrant and located 50 Lysergic-acid (LSD) tabs. The quantity amounts to commercial quantity as per NSW legislation and carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment. At the same warrant, an AFP device detection dog located numerous sim cards, a GoPro camera, USBs hidden behind panelling of a wardrobe and computer hard-drives. The devices were forensically examined and child abuse material was located.

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