HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF POLICE SERVICE DOGDocusign Envelope ID: CBCD726A-4DB1-4938-A388-BCB79412E3BF
Agenda Item 5Inih I_
�T AGENDA REPORT Reviewed: afs
City Manager
Finance Director
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2026
TO: ALDO SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: SEAN THUILLIEZ, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF POLICE SERVICE
DOG
SUMMARY:
On December 29, 2025, Sergeant Leah Barrett rotated out of the Canine Program after
being promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Police Service Dog Azzurri will be retired from
active service. Azzurri is a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois and has served as a Tustin
Police Canine for almost six years. Based on the unique bond between canine and
handler, Sergeant Barrett has agreed to accept ownership of Azzurri. 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 Leah Barrett (in her individual capacity) so that Azzurri can live out the
remainder of her days with the Barrett family.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Leah Barrett will pay the City the sum of $1.00 for the transfer of ownership, and she will
assume all future liability, maintenance, and care of Azzurri.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
The agreement for the transfer of ownership of Police Service Dog Azzuri 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 staff's efforts to expand their experience and develop their skills.
Docusign Envelope ID: CBCD726A-4DB1-4938-A388-BCB79412E3BF
City Council Agenda Report
Agreement for Transfer of Ownership of Police Service Dog
February 3, 2026
Page 2
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Police Service Dog (PSD) Azzurri is a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois who has been in
service with the Tustin Police Department since 2019. During her time at Tustin PD,
Azzurri attended the Basic Handlers School and Firearms Detection School. Azzurri
is trained in apprehension and firearm detection. The team has hundreds of
documented usages involving locating and/or apprehensions of dangerous suspects.
The following are some of the successes of Azzurri and Sergeant Barrett:
• 110 felony suspect surrenders without a bite. 3 involved locating a hidden
suspect;
• 4 suspect apprehensions;
• 30 SWAT and SRT deployments; and
• 20 firearm searches.
The team has also made significant contributions to community outreach by participating
in the 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. PSD Azzurri has
reached the end of her service career and will be retiring on January 20th, 2026. Sergeant
Leah Barrett was promoted to Police Sergeant and will no longer be assigned to the
Canine Unit. Sergeant Leah Barrett, in her individual, personal capacity, will be assuming
ownership and responsibility for Azzurri so that Azzurri can live the rest of her life with the
Barrett family.
Signed by:
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Signed by:
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Sean Thuilliez,
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Matthew Nunley,
Police Chief
Police Lieutenant
Attachment 1. Agreement for Transfer of Ownership of a Police Service Dog
Docusign Envelope ID: CBCD726A-4DB1-4938-A388-BCB79412E3BF
AGREEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
OF A
POLICE SERVICE DOG
This Agreement is made and entered into, to be effective this 3rd day of February
2026, by and between the CITY OF TUSTIN, a California municipal corporation,
(hereinafter referred to as the "City") and LEAH BARRETT, an individual.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the City's Police Service Dog, "Azzuri" is
9 year -old, and after 6 years of service with the City's Police Department should be retired
on January 20t", 2026; and
WHEREAS, Leah Barrett is an individual who, in her capacity as a Sergeant at the
City of Tustin, has been Azzuri's handler for six (6) years of service with the City's Police
Department; and
WHEREAS, the City's Police Department has determined that, given Azzuri's age,
her value as a police service dog has completely depreciated and that the ownership of
Azzuri should be transferred to Leah Barrett in her individual capacity, and Leah Barrett
has expressed a desire to acquire ownership of Azzuri; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of such transfer, the City would be responsible for the
continued care and maintenance of Azzuri;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
Section 1: The City, as owner of Azzuri, hereby determines to sell police service
dog Azzuri to Leah Barrett, 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 Azzuri to Leah Barrett, in her individual capacity, in return for her commitment to
assume all responsibility for the future care and maintenance of Azzuri.
Section 3: Leah Barrett 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 Azzuri on or after the
date of this Agreement.
Docusign Envelope ID: CBCD726A-4DB1-4938-A388-BCB79412E3BF
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 Azzuri and that Leah Barrett 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
LEAH BARRETT