City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: DECLARE POLICE SERVICE DOG “TUX” AS RETIRED AND SURPLUS PROPERTY, APPROVE DONATION OF “TUX” TO HANDLER ISSUES:
Declare Police Service Dog “Tux” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and approve the donation of “Tux” to his previous handler.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Declare Police Service Dog “Tux” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; and Approve the donation of Police Service Dog “Tux” to his previous handler, Officer Joseph Cleary, at no cost to the City.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Riverside Police Department (RPD) Canine 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 (PSD) reduces manpower and time required to search scenes to locate concealed evidence or suspects. PSDs 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, “Tux”, is specifically used to search for and apprehend suspects and locate evidence in support of the Field Operations Division, Patrol Unit and the Special Operations Division, SWAT/Metro and PACT.
Since the inception of the Police Department’s Canine Program, the handler responsible for the canine at the time of its retirement has been given the opportunity to take over the sole responsibility, ownership and care of the retired dog, if they so desire.
DISCUSSION:
PSD “Tux” has served the City of Riverside with distinction, searching countless scenes, and locating suspects and evidence. “Tux” is six (6) years old and has three (3) handlers during his time with the Department. He was most recently assigned to Canine Handler Officer Mitchell Gonzales. On August 11, 2026, Officer Gonzales and “Tux” began the basic six-week K9 academy with RPD’s new canine training vendor. Immediately, the owner and lead instructor observed that “Tux” lacked drive and was hesitant during scenario-based training. The lead instructor personally worked with “Tux” and ultimately determined he was failing to respond to training. Based on the lead instructor’s observations and expert opinion, RPD is recommending that PSD “Tux” be retired from police service.
Prior to being assigned to Officer Mitchell Gonzales, “Tux’s” partner for the past two (2) years, was Officer Joseph Cleary. Officer Cleary wishes to assume ownership of “Tux”. Officer Cleary will assume all financial responsibility as to the care, maintenance, food costs and veterinary expenses for “Tux”.
Therefore, the Police Department is requesting that Police Service Dog “Tux” be declared as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department and that “Tux” be donated to his previous handler, Officer Clearly, at no cost to the City. The City of Riverside will be held harmless from all future liabilities, claims, costs or obligations arising from or related to this donation. Officer Clearly shall assume full and sole responsibility for all actions and activities involving “Tux”.
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: Chad Milby, Police Captain
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Canine Retirement – “Tux” ● Page 2