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<br />Item No: 7F <br />Meeting Date: November 14, 2011 <br />Type of Business: Council Business <br />Administrator Review : ____ <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: Thomas Kinney, Chief of Police <br />Item Title/Subject: Resolution 7849 Approving the Creation of a Police Canine <br />Program <br /> <br />Introduction: <br /> <br />During the August work session, information was presented outlining a proposed police <br />canine program. At that time, the program received general support to move forward, <br />with the source of funding remaining the largest concern. Since that meeting, a citizen <br />has emerged to lead a potential group in attempting to raise funds to pay for this <br />program. This effort is a work in progress with results yet to be determined. This report <br />will briefly summarize the benefits to the city of a canine program, various issues to <br />consider and the expected costs to initiate the program. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br />The addition of a canine program offers benefits to the police department and <br />community that can only advance the safety, productivity and effectiveness of the <br />department as well as significantly provide a new means of community relationship. The <br />area of community outreach through a police canine may be the single largest benefit <br />for the city by offering a new means of public relations and connection with the citizens. <br /> <br />The implementation of a canine program would assist the officers in conducting safer <br />searches, increased efficiency in the tracking and apprehension of suspects as well as <br />lost/missing persons. A trained canine in narcotics detection can potentially increase <br />the success level in locating narcotics and the subsequent seizure of forfeited assets. <br />Ownership of a departmental canine would significantly reduce the reliance we have <br />had on other agencies’ canine units. The careful selection process of the canine <br />handler and clear policy direction will drive a successful program. This selection <br />process, which is considered an assignment, will consist of an evaluation of interested <br />candidates, a test of physical agility and an interview before an oral panel of experts. <br /> <br />The highly respected canine handler training program offered by the St Paul Police <br />Department will be the key to establishing the highest professional standards for this <br />newly assigned officer. Receiving certification from the United States Police Canine <br />Association (USPCA) will be essential for protection against any potential civil liability <br />issues. <br /> <br />There will not be any need for an additional vehicle purchase as the department will <br />convert an existing squad car to function as the canine handler take home squad.