[Greens-Media] Ombudsman’s report reveals sniffer dog operations a failure

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
14 SEPTEMBER 2006
	

Ombudsman’s report reveals sniffer dog operations a failure 

The release of the Ombudsman’s sniffer dog report has revealed that sniffer dog operations are a waste of public money that do not catch big criminals and have resulted in less than one per cent of those searched being prosecuted.

“Today’s release of the Ombudsman’s report, after the Greens used Parliament to force the government to release it, exposes that sniffer dogs have been an expensive failure,” said Greens MP and justice spokesperson, Lee Rhiannon.

“The NSW Upper House agreed to a Greens motion that required the government to release the Ombudsman report today. So I think it is no coincidence that after two years the Ombudsman has tabled this report.

“The report revealed that there is no evidence that drug detection dogs disrupted low level street dealing, had no deterrent effect on drug users and did not reduce drug related crime.

“Given that over 99 per cent of all sniffer dog searches did not result in a prosecution, the Ombudsman should have recommended that the extended search powers be scrapped.  

“The report reveals that the dog related costs of a two day sniffer dog operation at the 2004 Big Day out was $41,000.

“Of the 414 people searched, only one person was successfully prosecuted - a young boy who was fined $1,000 for supplying drugs to his girlfriend.

“Almost all convictions involved people supplying small quantities of drugs to their friends, while big drug dealers and manufacturers have got off scot-free.

“The Government sat on this report for two years because it reveals that sniffer dogs do not catch Mr Bigs, but rather harass young people who use recreational drugs.

“The report confirms that increased powers for police sniffer dogs was a PR exercise for Labor bent on badging itself as being tough on drugs. 
 
“I will be taking up the delay in releasing the report and its recommendations with the Attorney-General in the upcoming estimates hearings,” Ms Rhiannon said.

More information:  9230 3551; 0427 861 568. 
Visit the Greens ‘Sniff Off!’ campaign page: http://www.lee.greens.org.au/campaigns/snifferdogs.htm 


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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon, Thur, Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Email   susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    www.leerhiannon.org.au