To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOSEPH HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CANINE DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES LLC. FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT CANINE TRAINING SERVICES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $51,867 AND THE TERM MARCH 5, 2024 THROUGH MARCH 4, 2026
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of this Agreement will authorize the Police Department (Department) to change the vendor utilized to maintain compliance with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) training and certification requirements for Redondo Beach Police canines. This vendor will serve as the lead trainer to ensure compliance with the POST standards and Department policy. With approval of the recommended action, an existing agreement with PROK9, LLC. will be terminated and service will be transitioned to Canine Deployment Strategies LLC. (CDS). The availability of PROK9 trainers has diminished during the past year. The transition to CDS is expected to provide more consistent vendor support and to expand the Department’s access to training.
BACKGROUND
The Redondo Beach Police Department Canine Team was established in 1976 with two dogs assigned to the patrol division to start the program. Since this time, more than 30 handler and dog teams have performed some of the most dangerous work in the police service model. Today, the team is comprised of four patrol dogs and one Vapor Wake Explosive detection dog. Three of the patrol dogs are cross-trained to detect explosives and the fourth is a handler and dog team training in a basic handler course to prepare for field work.
Each year, the Police Department's canine team conducts over 90 searches for criminal suspects who have fled and pose a serious danger to the members of our community. Beyond searching for and locating dangerous suspects, these dogs play a significant role in ensuring the safety at special events like the City’s 5k and 10k runs and the BeachLife Festivals. They are also instrumental in responding to reports of suspicious packages and addressing safety concerns at community facilitates and schools.
Through management and continuous internal evaluation of this critical public safety resource, the Department has determined that our patrol dog teams will benefit from the training services offered by CDS, which is a United States Veteran-owned business that has provided training for police and military units throughout the United States and NATO Forces. Currently, CDS is the lead trainer for the City of Beverly Hills Police Department canine team and is in the process of assuming the same role with another South Bay law enforcement agency. CDS is an established organization that utilizes contemporary strategies proven to mitigate liability and de-escalate high-risk situations. All CDS training personnel are current or retired law enforcement professionals with specific experience in the training and utilization of police canines. CDS personnel have been recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as experts in explosive detection training, and they have participated as advisors to the POST canine guidelines.
This Agreement will fund two 8-hour training days per month during which CDS personnel will evaluate, monitor, and train both handlers and dogs to meet or exceed the POST guidelines. This includes utilizing Department policy, procedure, training records, and tactics to create exercises and scenarios to produce competent canine teams.
Upon approval of this Agreement, written notice will be issued to PROK9, LLC. terminating service in accordance with Section 11 of the existing Agreement.
COORDINATION
The Police Department coordinated the Agreement with the City Attorney's Office and Financial Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact resulting from the transition from PROK9, LLC. to CDS. Funding for the Agreement is available in the Police Department’s annual operating budget utilizing General Fund and Asset Forfeiture Fund appropriations.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Canine Deployment Strategies LLC
• Insurance - Canine Deployment Strategies LLC
• Agmt - PROK9, LLC