HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2002 - STAFF REPORTS (9) DATE: February 6, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: C. Lee Weigel, Chief of Police
APPROVAL OF DRUG DETECTION DOG PROGRAM AT AIRPORT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the purchase of a drug detection
dog for use at the Palm Springs International Airport.
SUMMARY
The proposal is to train one police officer assigned at the airport to detect drug
smugglers utilizing a trained drug-sniffing dog. This recommendation has a start
up cost of $10,576 and an annual continual cost of $5,702. Funding will come
from account number 3014-52030.
BACKGROUND
The police department does not have an active drug enforcement program at the
airport. Approximately two months ago, narcotic officers arrested a suspect
smuggling six kilos of suspected cocaine. The drugs were concealed in the
suspect's luggage. Drug enforcement officers have informed members of our
department that drug smugglers often use the Palm Springs Airport because of
the lack of enforcement.
This proposal involves teaching a current airport officer drug detection using a
dog trained to sniff out illegal contraband on smugglers' and their luggage. The
training consists of three weeks of intense instruction off site and two weeks of
intermittent training on the airport property. The drug detection officer would be
required to train off site once a month. This would occur on a Thursday when
there are two airport officers scheduled.
The airport officer would work closely with the Palm Springs Majors Narcotic
Task Force. Experts in recognizing smuggling behaviors would train and work
with the officer.
The airport officer's first priority remains airport law enforcement responses.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for this proposal is $10,576. The purchase of the drug sniffing dog
and initial training is $6,000. The overtime to cover the officer while he/she is
away at training is estimated at $3,976 (90 hours @ $44.178 per hour). The
officer would be equipped with an unmarked city vehicle, which is already part of
the fleet. There would be a one-time cost of $600 for a home kennel for the
officer.
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Continual costs are $300 annually for re-certification training, $125 per month for
the monthly drug dog training ($1,500 annual), $50 per month K-9 stipend ($600
annual), 2.67 hours of comp time per pay period for off duty dog maintenance
(74.76 hours @ 44.178, total $3,302.74 annual cost). The total annual continual
cost is $5,702.
LEE WEIGEL
Chief of Police
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Approved: efi%
City Manager---',
Attachments:
1. Minute Order
REVIEWED BY DEPT. OF FINANCE
7Aa
MINUTE ORDER NO.
APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A DRUG DETECTION
DOG FOR USE AT THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this minute order, approving the purchase of a drug detection
dog for use at the Palm Springs International Airport, was approved by the City Council
of the City of Palm Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on the 6th day of
February, 2002.
City Clerk