City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: December 6, 2022 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: DECLARE POLICE SERVICE DOG “NACHO” AS RETIRED AND SURPLUS PROPERTY, APPROVE DONATION OF “NACHO” TO HANDLER, AND AUTHORIZE THE ALLOCATION OF DONATED FUNDS FROM THE CANINE TRUST ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE A POLICE SERVICE DOG, HANDLERS TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Declare Police Service Dog “Nacho” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department, approve the donation of “Nacho” to his current handler, and authorize the allocation of $45,000 in donated funds from the Canine Trust Account to Police Department to purchase a new Police Service Dog and provide required handlers training and equipment.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Declare Police Service Dog “Nacho” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; Approve the donation of Police Service Dog “Nacho” to his current handler, Officer Samayoa, at no cost to the City; and With five affirmative votes, authorize an appropriation in the amount of $45,000 to Police Capital Projects Account No. 3195000-462200 for the purchase of a Police Service Dog, required handlers training and equipment.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Riverside Police Department K-9 Unit is to support all divisions within the department to search for felony suspects, suspects armed with a weapon, lost and missing persons, and to search for discarded evidence. Deploying a Police Service Dog (PSD) reduces manpower and time required to search scenes to locate a concealed evidence or suspects. This invaluable tool increases the safety of police personnel.
Patrol Service Dog (PSD) “Nacho” served the City of Riverside with distinction in resolving countless critical incidents. Unfortunately, “Nacho”, who has served the City for over five years, can no longer complete the rigorous tasks required from a police canine. “Nacho’s” partner and handler, Officer Joel Samayoa, has agreed to assume ownership and care for “Nacho” after retirement, which includes Nacho’s care, maintenance, food costs and veterinary expenses.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department is requesting that Police Service Dog “Nacho” be declared as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and to transfer $45,000 in donated funds from the Canine Trust Account to an expenditure account to purchase a replacement Police Service Dog and obtain the required handlers training and equipment.
The donations from the Canine Trust Account are intended for future purchases and training of replacement Police Service Dogs. The Department is now ready to move forward with the purchase of a new Police Service Dog and training for the new canine and officer.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Purchasing a Police Service Dog serves the public interest, benefits the City’s diverse populations, and results in greater public good. The Police Department deploys Police Service Dogs to reduce manpower and time required to search crime scenes. This invaluable tool increases the safety of police personnel and the community.
Equity – The RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Having the ability to deploy Police Service Dogs helps in the achievement of this goal by providing the RPD with a tool that improves efficiencies and enhances community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The RPD is utilizing donated funds for the acquisition of the replacement Police Service Dog, required handlers training and equipment. Police Service Dogs reduce manpower and time required to search scenes to locate concealed evidence or suspects.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future, RPD assigns their canine handlers and canines with monthly training to train and develop methods to deploy and serve the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The purpose of regularly replacing Police Service Dogs is to ensure the Department has the ability to continue to provide public safety services in the present and future, while adapting, and growing with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $45,000. Funds in the amount of $45,000 are available in the Special Deposits Fund, Police K-9 Program Donations account 0000720-225140. Upon Council approval, an appropriation of $45,000 will be recorded in the General Fund, Police Capital – Machine and Equipment expenditure account number 3195000-462200 with a budget adjustment from the Special Deposits Fund, Police K-9 Program Donations account 0000720-225140 as the source of funds.
Prepared by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Canine Trust Account – Supplemental Appropriation ● Page 2