City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 19, 2025 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: DECLARE POLICE SERVICE DOG “FREEK” AS RETIRED AND SURPLUS PROPERTY, APPROVE DONATION OF “FREEK” TO HANDLER ISSUES:
Declare Police Service Dog “Freek” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and approve the donation of “Freek” to his current handler.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Declare Police Service Dog “Freek” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; and Approve the donation of Police Service Dog “Freek” to his current handler, Officer Jeffrey Barney, at no cost to the City.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Riverside Police Department (RPD) 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, explosives, narcotics, and discarded evidence. Deploying a Police Service Dog reduces manpower and time required to search scenes to locate concealed evidence or suspects. Police Service Dogs deployed as support canines are also used to support and improve the mental health of Department personnel by reducing stress, anxiety and depression thereby improving over-all staff morale. This invaluable tool increases the safety and wellness of police personnel.
It is customary for the handler responsible for the canine at the time of its retirement to be provided with the opportunity to take over the sole responsibility, ownership and care of the retired canine, if they so desire.
DISCUSSION:
PSD “Freek” has served the City of Riverside for approximately 10 years and has been used on numerous critical incidents. “Freek” has located and apprehended numerous dangerous suspects that posed significant risks to officers and the community. He has also been utilized to locate important evidence at crime scenes. “Freek” is 12 years old, has had several medical issues over the past year, and has lost the drive to perform his duties at the required level.
Officer Jeffrey Barney, “Freek’s” partner for the past 10 years, wishes to assume ownership of him. Officer Barney will assume all financial responsibility as to the care, maintenance, food costs, and veterinary expenses for “Freek”. The City of Riverside does not have any financial obligation or responsibility associated with this donation.
The Police Department is requesting that Police Service Dog “Freek” be declared as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and that “Freek” be donated to his current handler, Officer Barney, at no cost to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the actions stated in this report. The City of Riverside does not have any financial obligation or responsibility associated with this donation.
Prepared by: Adam LeVesque, Police Lieutenant
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: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Canine Retirement – “Freek” ● Page 2