NEWS: The Advertiser - 28/06/2006 'Sniff test drug dogs on patrol' (ADELAIDE)

Sniff test drug dogs on patrol
SAM RICHES
28 Jun 2006

SNIFFER dogs are being trained to detect drugs on nightclub patrons in the city's streets.

The labradors are being trained as passive alert dogs, detecting drugs on people and alerting their handlers, who, with flagged new State Government legislation, will be able to search suspected offenders without a warrant.

That is the latest move in a crackdown on illicit drug use at Adelaide nightclubs and licensed premises.

As training of the dogs continues, the State Government is looking at changing existing legislation to enable the dogs to be used in conducting the searches legally without the use of a warrant.

In the same manner as Customs dogs detect drugs in airports - sitting when there is a detection - SA Police is training dogs for use in the city and could use them on public transport and at sporting grounds and entertainment venues.

Three Passive Alert Drug Detection labradors are being trained for general detection by police instructors from NSW.

Police Minister Paul Holloway said yesterday interstate operations with the PADD dogs were being "closely monitored".

The dogs and their handlers are half-way through a 10-week training course. The Advertiser understands SA Police legal experts are investigating the ramifications of using the general detection dogs.

A spokeswoman said yesterday it was "too early" to comment on the training. "We will not be making any comment at this stage for operational reasons," she said.

It follows Government-ordered reviews interstate into the use of PADD dogs in similar circumstances after arguments that their use - without probable cause or reasonable suspicion to search for drugs as legally required - infringes on the rights of individuals.

Mr Holloway confirmed the legislation was being reviewed.

"We fully support initiatives that will lead to the reduction of illicit narcotics on South Australian streets," he said.

NSW introduced the Drug Dogs Act to combat findings raised when a magistrate found a dog's sniffing of a man carrying drugs constituted an illegal search because it "had not been performed with reasonable suspicion".

Police sources have told The Advertiser the dogs most likely will be used to walk city streets and check nightclub queues.

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Drug sniffer dogs on patrol in city
By SAM RICHES
19 Jul 2006

MORNING commuters at Adelaide Railway Station were yesterday greeted by new drug-sniffing dogs on a training run.

The Passive Alert Detector dogs are in the latter stages of intensive training before being used to patrol city streets and premises in the hunt for illegal drugs.

The three labradors, trained at Thebarton by NSW police instructors, work in a similar way to Customs dogs at airports, sitting down when narcotics are detected.

Six weeks into a 10-week program, the dogs are doing "extremely well" and should start working by the end of August.

Senior Sergeant Peter Cheesman, officer in charge of the Dog Operations Unit, said the animals had passed all tests.

"They are new and innovative for SA . . . everything is in place to go. Now we just want to go out and find the drug dealers," he said.

Initial training focused on "imprinting" the scent of numerous drugs and their derivatives.

Through the same process, the unit is also able to respond quickly to any new drug hitting the streets.

"We imprinted several drugs commonly used and if there's some new designer drug that comes on the market, we can start working on that. It doesn't take long," Sen-Sgt Cheesman said.

After imprinting and practice working with people, the dogs are trained for patrols in buildings, cars, public transport and at sporting and entertainment events.

The dogs will be used as requested by police local service areas in line with intelligence and for specific operations.

Labradors are used for their compact size and good temperament and Sen-Sgt Cheesman said they posed no threat to the public.

"If they happen to be wandering Rundle Mall or Hindley St, the public don't need to be concerned they are going be harassed, bitten or knocked over," he said.

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lil angel15 said:

I would like to know what level of search the police conduct on you if the dog indicates the presence of drugs.

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