Meet Georgia, the AFP’s top dog for 2024
Editor’s note: Images and vision of canines at work available via Hightail
The AFP’s talented canines have sniffed out 1100 electronic devices, 104 illegal firearms and 70kg of drugs in search warrants around Australia this year (2024), with technology detection canine Georgia crowned top dog of the year.
AFP detection dogs attended more than 100 warrants across the country in 2024, including assisting with Operation Kraken.
The clever canines assist investigators during complex investigations by sniffing out cash, firearms, drugs, electronic devices such as USBs and SIM cards, and explosives.
They are also deployed to help protect critical infrastructure and locations, such as Australian Parliament House and major airports.
Technology detection dog Georgia, who is based on the Gold Coast, was crowned top dog of the year for her significant finds and consistently performing to a high standard. During her career, she has seized more than 206 items.
Georgia, six, joined the canine unit in 2019, and was positioned in Brisbane.
Georgia recently teamed up with Leading Senior Constable Byron Tune, and the pair will work together in the Gold Coast until she retires.
AFP canines played an instrumental role in providing safety and security for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Melbourne in March. Six world-leading high-risk explosive detective dogs (HREDD) and their handlers were deployed and searched prominent areas for explosives and other hazards, which significantly enhanced the safety of the high-profile event.
In an Australian law enforcement first, AFP handlers control HREDDS off-lead using hand directions, silent whistlers and lasers at a distance.
In May, the AFP’s HREDD and technology detection dogs showed off their skills at training demonstrations for Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC. The dogs and their handlers worked meticulously to find hidden devices in different environments.
AFP Acting Inspector Cameron Low said the AFP’s 80 operational detection canines worked tirelessly with their passionate handlers to keep Australia safe.
“All of our dogs are super stars and seeing them work hard alongside their handlers and succeed is amazing,” Acting Inspector Low said.
“Dogs have significant genetic abilities that far surpass any current detection technology now available on the market.
“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.”
Twenty dogs joined the squad in 2024, with 14 retiring from service.
