HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12d - Donation to Arcadia Police Service (K-9) Dog Program
DATE: April 6, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Roy Nakamura, Chief of Police
By: Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Sr. Management Analyst
SUBJECT: DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,800 FROM THE ARCADIA POLICE
FOUNDATION FOR THE ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT’S POLICE
SERVICE DOG (K-9) PROGRAM
Recommendation: Accept
SUMMARY
The Arcadia Police Foundation wishes to donate $22,800 to the Arcadia Police
Department for expenses related to purchase of a replacement K-9 and to cover the cost
of training aids. It is recommended that the City Council accept the donation.
DISCUSSION
Established in 2015, the Arcadia Police Foundation (the “Foundation”) is an independent,
community-based non-profit organization that supports the Arcadia Police Department (the
“Department”) by providing financial support and promoting partnership between the
community and police. The Foundation supports the Department’s programs, projects, and
activities not funded through the City’s General Fund budget. These projects and activities
support the Department in its mission to improve public safety, decrease crime, and make
Arcadia a safe place to live, work, and visit.
With the general support of the Foundation, the Department currently maintains two K-9s,
Kota and Kaiser. Recently, Kaiser began to exhibit aggressive behavior towards his
handler. The Department sent Kaiser and the handler to a new facility for supplemental
training; unfortunately, Kaiser did not respond to the training. Due to safety concerns for
the officer and the public, and to reduce potential liability, Kaiser was removed from
service in March 2021.
Efforts by the Department to return Kaiser to his original training facility and obtain a
replacement K-9 were not successful. Thus, the Department located a facility (Mission K-9
Rescue located in Texas) that specializes in rehabilitating military and police service dogs
Police Service (K-9) Dog Program Donation
April 6, 2021
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for placement in a non-service capacity to take in Kaiser. Mission K-9 will either ultimately
find a suitable home for Kaiser or will keep him to live out his natural days at their facility.
For this reason, the Foundation is providing funds to replace Kaiser.
The Foundation’s donation will cover the cost of a new dog and training courses to
become fully trained in narcotics detection and apprehension. In addition, the donation will
cover the cost of explosive scent training aids for Kota. The Foundation will continue to
cover the cost of both K-9’s food, supplies and equipment, specialized training and
certifications, boarding, and veterinary and dental expenses. All costs pertaining to
servicing the K-9 Program are funded by the Foundation, which is supported solely by
donations. The City pays for the cost of the officer’s time for responding to callouts, as well
as the handler’s annual training.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the Foundation’s donation of $22,800 will provide the necessary funds to
acquire and train a second K-9 for the Department’s K-9 Unit, as well as cover the cost
of training aids.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a
project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”); and accept a donation in the amount of $22,800 from the Arcadia Police
Foundation for the Arcadia Police Department’s Police Service Dog (K-9) Program.