Australia: Drug-detection dogs are wrong more than right, data reveals

New South Wales (NSW) police drug-detection dogs incorrectly detect illicit substances on patrons 75 per cent of the time, raising questions about the efficacy of enforcement as the state’s festival season starts.

The startling figures come as a report from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission reveals the police are falling short on self-imposed initiatives designed to ensure the law was followed when undertaking strip-searches.

Under NSW law, police can undertake either general or strip-searches if they suspect someone has illicit drugs in their possession. Sniffer dogs are used by police to sense drugs and screen for suspicious behaviour.

Data obtained through the parliament by NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann shows of the 94,535 general and strip-searches undertaken from 2013 to June 30 this year, 70,913 yielded no illicit drugs, a success rate of just 25 per cent.

(Original article behind paywall)