QUEENSLAND Police Service (QPS) has welcomed two new four-legged recruits into the constabulary with the Sunshine Coast Dog Squad officially swearing in Police Dogs ‘Odin’ and ‘Jackal’.

More than 100 police dogs work across 15 locations statewide, including general purpose, specialist detection and tactical working dogs.

PD Odin is a 3-year-old German Shepherd that has been teamed up with Senior Constable Daniel Hayward.

PD Jackal is 15 months old and has been teamed up with the Acting Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast Dog Squad, Acting Sergeant Trent Reynolds, taking over from PD Enzo, who was medically retired.

There is also a family connection within the squad.

PD Jackal is the son of current serving Sunshine Coast PD Astro and will join his father on the squad alongside PDs Buzz and Denver, who became operational in early 2025.

In the first 12 months of PDs Astro, Buzz and Denver becoming operational, the Sunshine Coast Dog Squad has responded to 1667 calls for service, resulting in 138 arrests and 124 tracking deployments.

Acting Sergeant Reynolds said PD Jackal’s first operational shift was on July 29, and it’s not the first time a father and son have served on the Sunshine Coast Dog Squad.

“My previous work dog, PD Darth, was actually the son of the work dog he was replacing, PD Oakley. It’s a unique dynamic,” Acting Sergeant Reynolds said.

Each handler dedicates some time each shift to ongoing training of their dogs in tracking, obedience and criminal work, when not required for operational support.

“Much like a Police Recruit, our Police Dogs will learn most through exposure to real-life policing,” Acting Sergeant Reynolds said.

Pawsome Dog Squad calendar launched 
The work of Queensland’s police dogs is also being celebrated with the launch of the 2027 QPS Dog Squad Calendar.

The annual calendar features police dogs and their handlers from across Queensland, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the animals that play an important role in frontline policing.

Senior Sergeant Stu Ellison said the calendar was about more than cute photographs.

“Our police dogs are an integral part of frontline policing and are capable of tasks that surpass human ability, such as tracking offenders, locating evidence, and detecting blood or explosives,” Senior Sergeant Ellison said.

The calendar also has a strong Sunshine Coast connection, with proceeds going to three community organisations — including Sunshine Coast not-for-profit SalTy Souls Legacy, which seeks to re-engage youth with their natural environment and community by learning to surf.

Queensland Police Legacy, which supports families of deceased or terminally ill officers, and Juiced TV, a hospital television program made by children for children undergoing treatment for serious illness, will benefit from the calendar sales.

The 2027 Dog Squad Calendar is available while stocks last and can be purchased via: https://qps-dog-squad-2027-calendar.square.site/