Police Dogs Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Oxley Memorial Puts Purple Poppy Day Focus on Service Animals

On a normal day at the Oxley Police Academy, it would be easy to walk past the Animal Memorial without realising how much history sits in one place: a sandstone plinth and a bronze plaque showing a police dog and a police horse, set there to honour the animals that served alongside Queensland Police Service officers.

On 24 Feb, Queensland Police Service Media used Purple Poppy Day to draw attention back to that Oxley memorial and to the animals still working across Queensland — dogs trained to detect drugs, explosives and firearms, and horses that support crowd control, search operations and community engagement.

QPS described Purple Poppy Day as an annual tribute to war and service animals that have served alongside humans. In Queensland, the message lands with special weight at Oxley, where the memorial honours animals that have served the organisation over the years.

The agency said the Dog Squad includes more than 100 police dogs. Their work is practical and often unseen: detecting illegal substances and dangerous items, tracking offenders, and helping in search and rescue operations when time matters most.

QPS also highlighted the Mounted Police Unit, which it said has served Queensland for more than 150 years and is currently home to 12 police horses, supporting operations and building connections through community engagement.

Purple Poppy Day is also closely linked with War Animal Day, which focuses on remembering animals that served, suffered and died in conflict and service roles. These animals contributed in roles such as communication and transport during conflict, including horses, pigeons, camels and donkeys.

The memorial at Oxley is not tied to a single calendar moment. It is there to keep the memory of service animals in view, while the work of police dogs and horses continues across Queensland.

Published 26-Feb-2026

New Police Dogs Graduate in Oxley, Strengthening Frontline Support

A new generation of police dogs has officially joined the Queensland Police Service following a graduation ceremony held at the Dog Squad facility in Oxley.

Read: Oxley Police Academy to Receive Significant Upgrade

The ceremony marked the end of a rigorous 12-week training program for 23 canine recruits and their handlers—eight general purpose dogs and 15 detection dogs trained in sniffing out drugs, firearms, and explosives, as well as tracking offenders. The graduating teams are set to be deployed across Queensland, including Brisbane, Townsville, and Bundaberg.

The event also honoured the legacy of former service dogs, with 47 memorial stones laid in remembrance of those that served in major investigations and high-risk incidents.

Officer in Charge of the Dog Squad, Acting Senior Sergeant Ash Purvey, said the day was about celebrating both achievement and legacy.

“Today we celebrate the future of canine policing in Queensland, while also recognising the dogs who paved the way with their service,” he said. “Each of the stones represents our partners and protectors—who have become part of our family.”

Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie described the graduation as a significant milestone for the Service and a strong reflection of ongoing efforts to support frontline safety.

Superintendent David French from Operations Support Command praised the graduating teams and highlighted the need for continued support and resources for specialist policing roles.

“These teams represent our commitment to innovative, adaptable and effective frontline policing,” Superintendent French said.

“By continuing to invest in our Dog Squad, we are equipping our officers, both human and canine, with the tools to meet the complex demands of modern policing.”

The Queensland Police Dog Squad, established in 1972, has significantly expanded over the decades and now includes 71 general purpose dogs and 20 specialist detection teams.

Read: Oxley to Host Community Foundation Skills Training in 2025

The graduation comes amid wider efforts to strengthen frontline policing across the state, with new equipment and technology being rolled out to support officers and improve community safety.

Published 11-July-2025

Queensland Introduces New Measures to Protect Faithful Servants Deployed from Oxley

Faithful, well-trained dogs and horses deployed from Oxley to help fight crime and protect the community will have more protection following the proposal to establish new measures aimed at individuals who harm or kill these animals.

The State Government plans to create new laws that will make it a crime to injure or kill Police Dogs and Police Horses. If signed, the offence will be punishable by up to five years in prison.

The Queensland Police Service will also create a new meritorious service award for Police Dogs to recognise their hard work for the community.

“Queensland has some of the strongest laws in the nation in relation to dangerous sex offenders, Organised Crime and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and hoons,” Police Minister Mark Ryan said.

“Now we are moving to add another layer of support to the faithful servants, our Police Dogs and Police Horses, who help police do their critically important work.”

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers, alongside Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Guy Ford and Sergeant Kerrie Haines, was instrumental in the drive to create new laws for the animals’ protection. The Queensland Police Union also acknowledges the work of Sergeant Shayne Treasure, who helped develop the Police Dog meritorious service award.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll supports this plan, knowing that these animals work as hard as their handlers and the police officers.

“The bond between a Police Dog and their handler is particularly special and together the crime-fighting partnership is extremely valuable to the entire Service,” Ms Carroll said.

“Anyone who tries to hurt our Police Dogs or Police Horses should, as the Queensland Police Union have proposed, be held accountable and face serious consequences.

“We are grateful for the commitment of the Queensland Police Union and the Government in pursuing the new offence to further protect our invaluable four-legged members of the Service.”