SR 11-14-2023 5G
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: November 14, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.G
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Approval of Police Canine Retirement
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the retirement of police service dog Arko from Police service.
2. Authorize Arko be sold to Santa Monica Police Officer Louis Marioni for the
sum of one dollar.
3. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
Summary
As part of a comprehensive approach to public safety, the Santa Monica Police
Department maintains three canine units with a trained police canine and their officer
handlers. After 5 years of service, Arko, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, is being
retired. Staff recommends that the Council approve the sale of Arko to his handler for
the nominal sum of one dollar.
5.G
Packet Pg. 70
2 of 3
Discussion
During the past five years, police service dog Arko has been assigned to Officer Marioni.
During Arko's length of service, he has been involved in numerous felony arrests and
apprehensions and has received commendations for his capabilities. Arko can no
longer be expected to work with the needed energy and drive levels for patrol functions.
It has been Department practice, since
the inception of the Canine Program, to transfer
ownership of canines who have reached
the end of their active service lives to their handlers for a nominal sum. This allows
the handler, their 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 interests of the animal and
5.G
Packet Pg. 71
3 of 3
removes the possibility of any potential liability to the City. Council has approved such
transfers in the past when service dogs have reached an age or developed medical
conditions which prevent their continued service.
Environmental Review
The retirement and approval of sale of Arko is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense
Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it
can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may
have a significant effect on the environment.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve the sale of canine Arko to his handler, Louis Marioni,
for the nominal sum of one dollar. Payment from the sale will be deposited to account
01180001.415482.
Prepared By: Rudy Flores, Police Captain
Approved
Forwarded to Council
5.G
Packet Pg. 72