7.5. SR 12-15-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~i City of Elk -...-~ River REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number Ci Council 7.5. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Administration December 15, 2008 effre A. Beahen, Chief of Police Item Description Reviewed by Replacement of Police Department K-9 and K-9 Handler Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Requesting that the Council approve the replacement of K-9 handler Brian Boos and his K-9 partner "Bravo". Background/Discussion Officer Brian Boos has been our K-9 handler since September of 2001. His current K-9 partner, "Bravo" has become increasingly unable to perform his duties as a result of a bowel disorder. The dog is approaching 10 years, and according to the vet, has reached the end of his canine career. The dog will be able to perform in a limited capacity up until 12-31-08. At that point the dog will be retired and Officer Boos will return to his position as a patrol officer. Officer Boos is not interested in continuing on as a canine handler, and our policy actually only allows the handler to remain in that position for the life of their dog. The K-9 position is a very valuable one here at the police department, a position which has seen an increased need over the past six months. Just last night we needed a K-9 to track a fleeing suspect, and had to wait for the nearest K-9, which was a Wright County Unit that came all the way from Howard Lake. We have located a canine trainer, who is willing to train a new handler for us on a one to one basis, at the same cost of sending a handler through the normal schools in either Minneapolis or St. Paul. The canine handler would receive the same level of certification as they would if they went through the other schools. The trainer has certified canine units all over the state, and has trained numerous dogs that have gone on to become State and National canine champions. The dogs being used in canine service are being purchased through law enforcement purchasers in Belgium. The current price for a partially trained adult police canine is approximately $6,000-$8,000. The cost for training including narcotics training is $4,500. The training would be 10-weeks long, and would be 400 hours in length. We have utilized a resume and oral interview process to select a replacement canine handler from within our patrol ranks. That officer is Adam Bebeau. C:\Doeuments and Settings\jmiller\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Piles\OLK3E\Action Requested K-9 replacement.doc