R7X - Discuss Expanding Police K9 Unit

Resolutions - R7 X

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) and the acquisition of a K-9 specifically trained for passive-alert drug detection be considered for the benefit of the Miami Beach Police Department, City residents, and visitors.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the May 21, 2025 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Mayor Steven Meiner, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral (C4 U) to the PSNQLC to discuss expanding the Miami Beach Police Department K9 Unit to include drug detection dogs.

The item was heard at the July 9, 2025 PSNQLC meeting and moved to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation to expand on the proactive unit that can serve dual purpose without a budget impact for the acquisition of the K9.

ANALYSIS

The Miami Beach Police Department’s (MBPD) K9 Unit currently consists of one (1) drug detection dog, one (1) therapy dog, and seven (7) active dual-certified teams certified in both apprehension and Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD) which refers to the identification, location and disposal of explosive devices. Each dual-certified team is composed of one handler officer and one trained K9.

The City’s status as a host for numerous world-renown events to include the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Art Week and Art Basel, the Air & Sea and boat shows, antique and jewelry shows, F1 events, High Holy Days, select marathons, and Secret Service dignitary visits as well as local government meetings ensure that demand for K9 EOD sweeps remains at an all-time high.

Narcotics-trained K9s have historically been utilized by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) for targeted narcotics investigations. These K9 teams, however, ideally aim to use what are known as passive-alert dogs which refers to dogs that have not been certified in patrol or apprehension

work. The role of the passive-alert dogs is to detect and help locate narcotics, not actively engage resisting subjects. Therefore, if passive-alert narcotics detection dogs are acquired, rather than assign them to the Patrol K9 Unit itself, it would be optimal to assign the dogs to a unit within CID, such as the Strategic Enforcement Team (SET) or Strategic Investigation Squad (SIS), due to their ability to function safely near civilians, unlike their apprehension-trained counterparts.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The passive-alert narcotics K9s do not train alongside the patrol-certified teams. While the K9s themselves do not incur costs if donated by the Miami Beach K9 Knights, if a decision is made to certify a K9 team in narcotics detection, additional expenses will be incurred. These would include at a minimum:

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The purchase of training aids and equipment used to hide the aids (to ensure separation from current EOD materials): o Narcotics school: $5,000 o Training narcotics: $600 o Narcotics safe: $800 o Equipment needed: $300 Medical care: (Additional costs may be required in case of injury or illness) o Introductory vet bills and vaccines: $700 ▪ Annual wellness visit and vaccinations total: $512 Feeding and home care: o Home kennel: $4,500 o Annual dog food: $1,600 K9 (if not provided by Miami Beach K9 Knights): $15,000 K9 retrofitted police vehicle: $69,198

Total approximate costs for Year One for at least one K9: $82,698 • (If K9 is acquired by MBPD: $97,698)

These additional costs are not currently funded within the Department’s budget.

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the PSNQLC to consider augmenting the Police Department’s Patrol K9s with passive-alert drug detection dogs. Through this potential acquisition, the Police Department will be able to expand dedicated narcotics enforcement efforts while not diminishing its ability to conduct vital EOD detection and subject apprehensions. The funding for the additional costs would have to be identified during a future budget discussion.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Police

Sponsor(s)

Mayor Steven Meiner

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Expand MBPD K9 Unit to Include Drug Detection Dogs. (Meiner) PD

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)