SR 05-22-2018 3R
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 22, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.R
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Cynthia Renaud, Chief of Police, Police Department
Subject: Police Canine Retirement
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Authorize the retirement of police service dog Rambo from Police service.
2. Authorize Rambo be sold to Santa Monica Police Officer Louis Marioni for the sum
of one dollar.
Executive Summary
As part of a comprehensive approach to fighting crime, the Santa Monica Police
Department maintains four K-9 units with a trained police canine and their officer
handlers. After over five years of service, police service dog Rambo, a 7 year-old
Belgian Malinois, is being retired. Staff recommends that Council approve the sale of
Rambo to his handler for the nominal sum of one dollar.
Discussion
During the past four years, police service dog Rambo has been assigned to Officer
Louis Marioni. Prior to being assigned to Officer Marioni, Rambo was assigned to
Sergeant Roberto Villegas. During Rambo’s length of service, he has been involved in
numerous felony arrests, apprehensions and has received commendations for his
capabilities. He is also a cross trained explosive detection canine who has conducted
many high risk explosive detection searches in Santa Monica along with several other
regional cities.
Rambo will retire from the Canine Program after over five years of service in May of
2018. Rambo, at 7 years of age, has developed a medical condition necessitating his
retirement from active service in the Canine Program. It would be unsafe to expect
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Rambo to continue working as an active service dog due to the problems he is
experiencing. It has been Department practice, since the inception of the Canine
Program, to transfer ownership of the canines that have reached the end of their active
service life, to their handlers for a nominal sum. This allows the handler, his/her family,
and the police dog who has become a member of their family, to continue their journey
together. Other law enforcement agencies that use canines have the same practice.
This practice is in the best interest of the animal. Council has approved such transfers
in the past when service dogs have reached an age or developed medical conditions
which prevent their continued service.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary because of the
recommended action. Payment from the sale of canine Rambo to his handler will be
deposited to account 01304.407473.
Prepared By: Thomas McLaughlin, Lieutenant
Approved
Forwarded to Council