HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 AGREEMENT TO TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A POLICE SERVICE DOGAgenda Item 4
Reviewed:
AGENDA REPORT City Manager
Finance Director /A
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2017
TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CHARLES F. CELANO, JR., CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A POLICE
SERVICE DOG
SUMMARY
Officer Rene Barraza will be rotating out of the Canine Program and into the Patrol
Division, effective shift change February 21, 2017. Police Service Dog (PSD) Bravo will
be retired from active service. Bravo is an 8 -year-old Belgian Malinois and has served
as a Tustin Police Canine for six years. Based on the unique bond between canine and
handler, Officer Barraza, has agreed to accept ownership of Bravo. The Agreement for
Transfer of Ownership of a Police Service Canine has been reviewed and approved as
to form by the City Attorney.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Agreement for Transfer of Ownership for a Police Services Dog between
the City of Tustin and Officer Rene Barraza so that Bravo can live out the remainder of
his days with the Barraza family
FISCAL IMPACT
Officer Barraza will pay the City the sum of $1.00 for the transfer of ownership, and he will
assume all future liability, maintenance and care.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN
Agreement For Transfer Of Ownership of a Police Service Dog
February 21, 2017
Page No. 2 of 2
BACKGROUND
PSD Bravo is an 8 -year-old Belgian Malinois that has been in service with the Tustin
Police Department since 2011. The City of Tustin purchased Bravo from Adlerhorst
International in Riverside County in 2011 for the sum of $9,400.00 after he was
imported from The Netherlands. Bravo and his handler, Officer Rene Barraza, have
been partners since. During his time at TPD, Bravo attended the SWAT & Canine's
Interacting During Deployment School (SKIDDS), L.A. Sheriffs Special Enforcement
Bureau Advanced SWAT Canine and Narcotics Detection School.
The team has had over 1000 documented usages, including 5 apprehensions and
over 60 arrests of violent offenders and drug dealers. They have assisted in
operations with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Orange County's Regional
Narcotics Suppression Program (RNSP), Border Patrol (CBP), Homeland Security as
well as surrounding Orange County police agencies. During these operations, the
team has seized over 50 pounds heroin, 60 pounds methamphetamine, 11 kilos of
cocaine, 100 ecstasy pills, and found 3 illegally possessed firearms as well as
numerous weapons used in crimes.
The team has also contributed greatly to community outreach by attending each
annual Orange County Police Canine Association benefit show, TPD's Annual Walk to
School Program, Boy Scout police facility tours, TPD's Annual Open House, CHOC
hospital visiting critical patients, OCDA's Bring Your Kids to Work Day, National Night
Out, school functions for the Tustin Unified School District, and countless meet and
greets with citizens.
The service life for police service dogs varies but typically is 5 -- 7 years. Although
Bravo is still a healthy 8 -year-old dog, he has reached the end of his service career
and will be retiring on February 21, 2017. Officer Barraza will be rotating into the
Patrol Division at that time and will no longer be assigned to the Canine Unit.
CHARLES F, CELANO, JR.
Chief of Police
MOW-MM,�u0M1 WMAMG� I
AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
OF A
POLICE SERVICE DOG
This Agreement is made and entered into, to be effective this 21St day of
February, 2017, by and between the CITY OF TUSTIN, a California municipal
corporation, (hereinafter referred to as the "City") and OFFICER RENE BARRAZA
(hereinafter referred to as "Officer Barraza"),
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, The City has determined that the City's Police Service Dog, "Bravo"
is 8 -years -old, and after 6 years of service with the City's Police Department should be
retired on February 21, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Officer Barraza has been Bravo's handler for 6 years of service with
the City's Police Department; and
WHEREAS, The City's Police Department has determined that given Bravo's
age, his value as a police service dog has completely depreciated and that the
ownership of Bravo should be transferred to Officer Barraza, who has expressed a
desire to acquire ownership of Bravo; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of such transfer, the City would be responsible for
the continued care and maintenance of Bravo;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
Section 1: The City, as owner of Bravo, hereby determines to sell police
service dog Bravo to Officer Barraza, the purchaser, for the sum of one dollar ($1.00),
having determined that the canine is no longer of any value to the City's Police
Department.
Section 2: The City hereby transfers absolute legal ownership and possession
of Bravo to Officer Barraza in return for the commitment of Officer Barraza to assume all
responsibility for the future care and maintenance of Bravo.
Section 3: Officer Barraza further agrees to and shall fully indemnify, defend
and keep and hold, the City, including the City's Police Department, and the City's
officers, agents, officials and employees, harmless from any and all costs, liability,
damage, or expense (including cost of suits and fees and reasonable expenses of legal
services) claimed by anyone by reason of injury to or death of person or persons, or
damage to or destruction of property caused or alleged to have been caused by Bravo
on or after the date of this Agreement.
1
It is the intent of this Agreement that the City, the City's Police Department, its officers,
officials, employees, and agents shall have no responsibility or financial liability resulting
from any future action of Bravo and that Officer Barraza shall be fully and solely
responsible therefore.
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into the date hereinabove written.
ATTEST:
ERICA N. RABE,
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DAVID E. KENDIG,
CITY ATTORNEY �
2
CITY OF TUSTIN
DR. ALLAN BERNSTEIN,
MAYOR
RENE BARRAZA,
POLICE OFFICER