City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 23, 2026 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: INTERFUND TRANSFER OF DONATED FUNDS FROM CANINE TRUST ACCOUNT TO GENERAL FUND FOR PURCHASE OF THREE POLICE SERVICE DOGS, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Authorize an interfund transfer and appropriation in the amount of $60,000 from the Canine Trust Account for the purchase of three (3) Police Service Dogs, training and equipment.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, with at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an interfund transfer and a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $60,000 from the Special Deposits Fund, Canine Trust Account to the General Fund, Police Capital revenue and expenditure accounts.
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.
On August 19, 2025, City Council declared Police Service Dog (PSD) “Freek” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and approved the donation of “Freek” to his current handler. At that time, the Department decided to not replace “Freek” pending his handler’s retirement.
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 requesting City Council approval at the June 23, 2026 Council meeting to retire Maverick and donate him to Officer Mitchell Gonzales, his partner and handler.
PSD “Kilo” was recently hospitalized after being diagnosed with a very serious illness. He was completely debilitated and could not eat. Unfortunately, “Kilo” was euthanized in March of 2026, to prevent suffering, as he was not expected to survive.
RPD is proposing to replace PSD “Maverick”, “Freek” and “Kilo”.
DISCUSSION:
RPD is planning to purchase three (3) PSDs to replace PSDs “Maverick”, “Freek” and “Kilo” utilizing donated funds collected in the Department’s Canine Trust Accounts. In order to purchase the canines and handler training, funds from the Canine Trust Accounts must be appropriated to a Police Department expenditure account.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $60,000. 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. Upon Council approval an interfund transfer and appropriation will be recorded as outlined in the table below for the purchase of three (3) Police Service Dogs, the required training, and equipment.
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Transfer Out
Special Deposits
Police Program Donations
9935700-990101
$60,000
General Fund
Police-Capital
Transfer In/Revenue
3195000-980720
$60,000
Appropriation
3195000-462200
$60,000
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 Interfund Transfer from Canine Trust Account ● Page 2