City Council
Council to continue funding K9 unit with $30,000 over three years.
The police K9 unit's 15 dogs find missing people, narcotics, explosives, and hidden electronics. Council has voted on two bills letting police pick between breeders, with spending capped at $30,000 over three years. Usually, the force buys one or two dogs a year. A council member said it's the only time she sees kids in her district run toward police.
Written by Amy Whipple
- The K9 unit consists of 15 dogs that are trained in specialties like missing people, narcotics, explosives, and electronic equipment (discarded/hidden hard drives and phones)
- Councilperson Kail-Smith noted that the K9 unit is the only time she sees kids in her district running to police officers instead of away from them
- She expressed remorse that the Mounted Patrol is being disbanded, which had also helped bolster relationships with her district’s youth
- Council voted on two bills to allow the Police Bureau a choice between breeders if needed because of availability. Spending would not exceed $30,000 total over three years regardless of breeders used.
- It costs $9,500 to buy a dog from a breeder. The force typically only buys 1-2 dogs per year to replace dogs that have aged out or are otherwise no longer fit for service.
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- City Council · May 19, 2025
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