HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF POLICE SERVICE DOGDocusign Envelope ID: OEABD08D-F8D6-4A68-ADDC-3F8DA65DF63F
Agenda Item r
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T AGENDA REPORT Reviewed: Qfs
City Manager ^Initial
Finance Director J
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2025
TO: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: SEAN THUILLIEZ, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF POLICE SERVICE
DOG
SUMMARY:
Officer Eric Kent rotated out of the Canine Program and into the Professional Standards
Division, effective November 3, 2025. Police Service Dog Roky will be retired from active
service. Roky is a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois and has served as a Tustin Police Canine
for seven years. Based on the unique bond between canine and handler, Officer Eric Kent
has agreed to accept ownership of Roky. The Agreement for Transfer of Ownership of a
Police Service Canine has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Agreement for Transfer of Ownership for a Police Service Dog between the
City of Tustin and Eric Kent (in his individual capacity) so that Roky can live out the
remainder of his days with the Kent family.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Mr. Kent 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:
The agreement for transfer of ownership of Police Service Dog, Roky, falls under
Strategic Plan Goal E Organizational Excellence and Customer Service. The City of
Tustin supports professional development, cross training and assignments that will
support staffs' efforts to expand their experience and develop their skills.
Docusign Envelope ID: OEABD08D-F8D6-4A68-ADDC-3F8DA65DF63F
AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
OF POLICE SERVICES DOG
Nov 18, 2025
Page 2
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Police Service Dog Roky is a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois who has been in service with
the Tustin Police Department since 2018. Roky and his handler, Officer Eric Kent, have
been partners since. During his time at Tustin PD, Roky attended the Basic Handlers
School and Narcotics Detection School. Roky is trained in apprehension and narcotics
detection of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, MDMA, and Marijuana.
The team has hundreds of documented usages, including the recovery of firearms, drugs,
and apprehensions of dangerous suspects. The following are some of the successes of
Roky and Officer Eric Kent:
• 15 firearms seized as a result of vehicle
stemming from a sniff;
• 250 felony suspect surrenders without a bite
• 2.5 kilos of methamphetamine;
• 3.5 kilos of fentanyl;
• 10 oz of cocaine;
• 5 oz heroin;
•2ozMDMA;
• 10 kilos marijuana;
• 10 suspect apprehensions; and,
• 40 SWAT/SRT deployments.
sniff/article search or search warrant
13 involved locating a hidden suspect;
The team has also made significant contributions to community outreach by attending the
Tustin PD's Annual Walk to School Program, Annual Open House, Citizens Academy,
school functions for the Tustin Unified School District, and numerous meet -and -greets
with citizens.
The service life for police service dogs varies but typically is 5 - 7 years. Police Service
Dog Roky has reached the end of his service career and will be retiring on November 18,
2025. Officer Eric Kent is rotating into the Professional Standards Division and will no
longer be assigned to the Canine Unit. Officer Kent, in his individual, personal capacity,
will be assuming ownership and responsibility for Roky so that Roky can live the rest of
his life with the Kent family.
ESSigned by:
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Sean Thuilliez
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Michael Van Cleve
Police Chief
Police Lieutenant
Attachment
1. Agreement for Transfer of Ownership of a Police Service Dog
Docusign Envelope ID: OEABD08D-F8D6-4A68-ADDC-3F8DA65DF63F
AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
OF A
POLICE SERVICE DOG
This Agreement is made and entered into, to be effective this 18th day of November
2025, by and between the CITY OF TUSTIN, a California municipal corporation,
(hereinafter referred to as the "City") and ERIC KENT, an individual.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the City's Police Service Dog, "Roky" is
10-1/2-years-old, and after 7 years of service with the City's Police Department should be
retired on November 19th, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Eric Kent is an individual who, in his capacity as an Officer at the City
of Tustin, has been Roky's handler for seven (7) years of service with the City's Police
Department; and
WHEREAS, the City's Police Department has determined that, given Roky's age,
his value as a police service dog has completely depreciated and that the ownership of
Roky should be transferred to Eric Kent in his individual capacity, and Eric Kent has
expressed a desire to acquire ownership of Roky; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of such transfer, the City would be responsible for the
continued care and maintenance of Roky;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
Section 1: The City, as owner of Roky, hereby determines to sell police service
dog Roky to Eric Kent, 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 Roky to Eric Kent, in his individual capacity, in return for his commitment to assume all
responsibility for the future care and maintenance of Roky.
Section 3: Eric Kent 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 Roky on or after the date of this
Agreement.
Docusign Envelope ID: OEABD08D-F8D6-4A68-ADDC-3F8DA65DF63F
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 Roky and that Eric Kent individually shall be fully and solely
responsible, therefore.
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into the date hereinabove written.
ATTEST:
IN
ERICA YASUDA,
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DocuSigned by:
By:
D iY4'KENDIG,
CITY ATTORNEY
2
CITY OF TUSTIN
By:
AUSTIN LUMBARD,
MAYOR
In
ERIC KENT