No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2k - Accept Donation from the Arcadia Police Foundation for K9 Program DATE: June 6, 2017 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Robert Guthrie, Chief of Police By: Colleen Flores, Lieutenant SUBJECT: DONATION FROM THE ARCADIA POLICE FOUNDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 FOR THE ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICE DOG (K-9) PROGRAM Recommendation: Accept SUMMARY The Arcadia Police Foundation wishes to donate $40,000 to the Arcadia Police Department for expenses related to the Police Service Dog (K-9) Program. DISCUSSION In 2015, the Arcadia Police Foundation was established for the purpose of supporting the Arcadia Police Department by raising funds to support the programs, projects, and activities of the Department that are not funded through the City’s General Fund budget. These projects and activities will assist the Department in continuing to serve the residents of Arcadia at its highest level and support the City’s mission to improve public safety, decrease crime, and make Arcadia a safe place to live, work, and visit. The Foundation’s current project is to create and maintain a second Arcadia Police Service Dog (K-9) for the K-9 Program. Another trained K-9 can make a significant difference in Arcadia’s law enforcement efforts. The K9 resource will enhance support to divisions such as Patrol, SWAT and the Detective Bureau. The K9 unit will be an additional resource and force multiplier for Arcadia Police Department Personnel to perform a variety of tasks to include building searches and suspect apprehension. The K9 unit will also provide demonstrations to local school and community groups and are an important part of the Department’s public outreach efforts. The approximate $18,000 purchase price for the police dog includes extensive and specialized training for the K-9 and his handler. There is also a need for special equipment such as K-9 bite suits, bite sleeves, muzzles, collars, long-lines, leashes, harnesses, and Donation from the Arcadia Police Foundation for Police Service Dog (K-9) Program June 6, 2017 Page 2 of 2 K-9 ballistic vests. Specialized vehicle equipment upgrades are also needed including rear seat modification, a heat alarm, and a cooling system. In addition to annual veterinary costs (routine vaccinations and unexpected visits), other expenses involved are food and preparing the K-9’s living quarters with appropriate shelter. The K-9 Unit will also incur costs to maintain professional certifications and memberships including POST certification (annual and monthly), K-9 Legal Update membership, and Los Angeles County Police Canine Association membership. The total expense for the second dog in the K-9 Unit is expected to cost approximately $40,000. The start-up costs and future costs as they pertain to servicing the K-9 will be funded entirely by the Foundation, which is supported by donations. It should be noted that aside from the K-9 costs covered by the Police Foundation, there are some costs to the City in the amount of $23,100 annually. The cost breakdown includes $14,300 in Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) overtime ($500 per month for off- the-clock time spent feeding, exercising, training, grooming, and cleaning up after the police dog) and overtime related to call-outs at the time and a half rate (to be used on an as-needed basis). The other two costs are for the K-9 handler’s 5% annual specialty pay ($5,000) and training costs ($3,000). These costs have been included in the proposed FY 2017-18 Budget. FISCAL IMPACT Acceptance of the Foundation’s gift of $40,000 will provide the necessary funds for the Department’s second K-9. The City’s cost for overtime, personnel costs, and training have been budgeted in the FY 2017-18 Operating Budget, under the K-9 Program account. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council accept a donation from the Arcadia Police Foundation in the amount of $40,000 for the Arcadia Police Department Service Dog (K-9) Program.