City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 23, 2026 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: DECLARE POLICE SERVICE DOG “MAVERICK” AS RETIRED AND SURPLUS PROPERTY AND DONATE TO HANDLER ISSUE:
Declare Police Service Dog “Maverick” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and approve the donation of “Maverick” to his current handler.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Declare Police Service Dog “Maverick” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; and Approve the donation of Police Service Dog “Maverick” to his current handler, Officer Mitchell Gonzales, 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.
PSD “Maverick” served the City of Riverside with distinction in resolving countless critical incidents. Unfortunately, Maverick, who is now ten years old, has been diagnosed with age-related medical issues, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, that are significantly reducing his ability to run, jump, or otherwise function in a working environment. The Department is proposing to retire Maverick and donate him to Officer Mitchell Gonzales, his partner and handler.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside Police Department (RPD) is requesting that PSD “Maverick” be declared as retired and surplus property to the needs of RPD and that “Maverick” be donated to his current handler, Officer Mitchell Gonzales, at no cost to the City.
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.
Officer Mitchell Gonzales, “Maverick’s” partner for the past 10 years, wishes to assume ownership of him. Officer Gonzales will assume all financial responsibility as to the care, maintenance, food costs, and veterinary expenses for “Maverick”. The City of Riverside does not have any financial obligation or responsibility associated with this donation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendations included in this report. The cost of the replacement PSDs and required handler training will be solely funded through donations received and held in the Canine Trust accounts within the Special Deposits Fund.
Prepared by: Victor Garcia, Principal Management Analyst Approved by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Retire PSD “Maverick” ● Page 2