City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: December 19, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: DECLARE POLICE SERVICE DOG “SHADOW” AS RETIRED AND SURPLUS PROPERTY, APPROVE DONATION OF “SHADOW” TO HANDLER ISSUES:
Declare Police Service Dog “Shadow” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and approve the donation of “Shadow” to his current handler.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Declare Police Service Dog “Shadow” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; and Approve the donation of Police Service Dog “Shadow” to his current handler, Detective Dana, at no cost to the City.
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 concealed evidence or suspects. This invaluable tool increases the safety of police personnel.
Patrol Service Dog (PSD) “Shadow” served the City of Riverside with distinction searching countless scenes and clearing major event locations. “Shadow” is now nine years old, has developed advanced arthritis in his hips, and has had a toe amputated due to a tumor. Therefore, he can no longer complete the rigorous tasks required from a police canine. “Shadow’s” partner and handler over the past six and a half years, Detective James Dana, has agreed to assume ownership and care for “Shadow” after retirement, which includes all financial responsibility for “Shadow’s” care, maintenance, food costs and veterinary expenses.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department is requesting that Police Service Dog “Shadow” be declared as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and that “Shadow” be donated to his current handler, Detective Dana, at no cost to the City.
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 – Police Service Dogs serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result 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 efficiency and enhances community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The RPD is utilizing approved Measure Z 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:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the actions stated in this report.
Prepared by: Lt. Trinidad Lomeli
Approved by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Canine Retirement – “Shadow” ● Page 2