TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KEVIN MENSEN, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT
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Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds - Police Canine.
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RECOMMENDATION
1) Establish Federal Grant Number G4260; 2) appropriate $24,600 from the fund balance of the Asset Forfeiture/Department of Justice Fund 120 for the purchase of a Police Canine, including initial training and all necessary equipment; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City.
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FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this grant was received in a prior fiscal year and recorded in the Federal Asset Forfeiture/Department of Justice Fund 120. To authorize the associated expenditures, an appropriation of $24,600 from the fund balance is required.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above further the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Superior Customer Service
• Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
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Revenue: 12040002-59500-G4260 |
Expenditure: 12040002-40010-G4260 |
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BACKGROUND
For several years, the Chino Police Department has actively participated in investigations or prosecutions that resulted in federal forfeiture. As a result, the city receives an equitable share of the net proceeds. Forfeiture funds are designated exclusively for law enforcement purposes and must supplement existing resources, not replace them.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The Department's personnel allotment designates four police service dogs, but only three positions are currently filled. Handlers who are selected to the Unit agree to a minimum of five years of service due to the large financial and time commitment required to field a properly trained and certified Canine Team. Canine Teams are certified jointly, meaning that if either the handler or canine changes, the newly formed team must complete the entire certification course together.
The Unit’s senior handler has served for nearly seven years with his partner, Canine Cyra, who is approaching nine years of age and nearing her anticipated service life for a police dog. Upon Cyra’s retirement, a replacement canine and new handler will be needed to maintain full staffing.
Funding for a replacement police service dog is not included in the FY 2025-26 Budget. In addition to their patrol response, police dogs are a critical tool in the fight against illegal narcotics in both their ability to smell drugs and search for dangerous suspects. Therefore, Police Service Dogs and their related training and equipment are eligible uses under Federal Asset Forfeiture funds.
To ensure continued coverage and operational readiness of the Department’s Canine Unit, we propose selecting and purchasing a new police service dog from Adlerhorst International, a reputable vendor specializing in law enforcement canines. The selected canine will be paired with a new handler, who will be assigned and attend Adlerhorst’s six-week Basic Handler’s Course to establish foundational tracking, detection, and patrol capabilities. This training is essential to certify and deploy the new Canine Team in accordance with departmental and industry standards.
In addition to the acquisition and training, the new handler will require the proper equipment to house and deploy with the dog. This includes an aluminum kennel, doghouse, and essential tools such as a tracking harness, leashes, collars, and feeding equipment. These resources are necessary to ensure the immediate operational effectiveness and welfare of the new Canine Team.
This investment will allow for a seamless transition as Canine Cyra retires from service, maintaining the Unit’s full staffing level of four deployable canine teams.
The costs for the new Police Canine are projected to be:
Police Canine $14,800
Handler’s Course 6,000
Associated equipment 3,800
TOTAL COST: $24,600