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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.
From The Advertiser
Some related reading on sniffer dogs from ADD:
Sniffer Dogs - What they actually find! (Sydney Morning Herald)
NEWS: Sniffer dogs to patrol clubs (Melb)
Concealing Pills From Dogs
Sniffer Dogs at upcoming rave