Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 8, 2024
DATE: July 18, 2024
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Andrew Depolo, Patrol Commander
SUBJECT: Authorization for Conveyance of Retired Port-Owned K9 Rocky to Handler
Amount of this request:
$0.00
Total estimated project cost:
$0.00
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to convey a Port-owned K9 to its
handler.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On November 21, 2023, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted Resolution No. 3816 which
authorized the Executive Director to sell and convey port personal property in 2024 in accordance
with RCW 53.08.090 with a value not greater than $22,000. Port Policy AC-13 restricts Port-
owned property from being conveyed to Port employees unless approved by the Commission. In
this case, there is basis for an exception as explained in the Justification section and conveyances
of K9s to their handlers as a standard industry practice. The Executive Director will work to
develop a more permanent process for Commission consideration and approval in the near
future. In the case of K9 Rocky and conveyance to his handler, time is of the essence given the
circumstances of his handler’s selection to a different specialty unit and K9 Rocky’s age and/or
service life.
Retirement of TSA-owned canines follows their established retirement process which has been
modeled by the Port of Seattle. Retiring Port-owned K9s to their handlers is an established
practice. The Commission has authorized this at least twice before.
JUSTIFICATION
The typical service life of a canine ranges widely, mostly dependent on the canine’s health, and
can range anywhere from 1-10 years. Once a canine is eligible to retire, organizations including
the TSA offer the first right of refusal to the current handler. If that handler declines, the dog is
offered to the previous handler and so forth. If no one wants to adopt the canine, it is returned
to the vendor or adopted to friends and/or co-workers.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: October 8, 2024
Retirement eligibility of a canine is determined by several factors which can include but is not
limited to age, health, medical cost, and/or behavior. Required paperwork includes a letter from
the veterinarian, official department request and hold harmless documentation.
Port Policy AC-13 contains a provision that informs of the best approach to enable transfer of a
retired Port Police service K9 to its handler. AC-13 paragraph .05 states that: “Surplus property
must not be sold/transferred to any Port Commissioner or Port employee or to members of their
immediate families unless specific approval of the Port Commission is obtained. For example, a
retiring police officer with at least five years of service will be provided the officer’s assigned
service weapon along with a display box as authorized by the Commission via the provision of a
collective bargaining agreement.”
At this time, we are seeking authorization for Officer Ian Maxwell’s K9 Rocky to be retired from
active duty as an explosive detection canine. Officer Maxwell is leaving the K9 unit and joining
the Bomb Disposal Unit where he is not allowed to continue his previous K9 officer activities. K9
Rocky is approximately ten years of age. K9 Rocky has reached his service life and could not be
expected to remain operationally effective much longer. It would not be cost effective to re-
assign him to another handler. K9 Rocky has reached an age which a significant number of health
issues would be expected. This would result in abnormally high veterinary cost and/or other
associated health cost. His handler has agreed to adopt him and has completed the Release of
Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement for Retired Service Animals.
Schedule
Upon approval of authorization by the Commission, the retirement of K9 Rocky will be effective
August 11, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Reassignment of K9 Rocky to another handler.
Cost Implications: Unknown cost associated with health.
Pros: Reassignment of K9 Rocky provides a handler with a dog familiar with explosive odor that
does not require any initial training.
Cons: K9 Rocky has reached the end of his service life (1-10 years) meaning he cannot be
expected to remain operationally effective much longer. Reassignment of K9 Rocky requires a
K9, who has only known one handler, to learn, adjust, and work with a new handler. The time
and effort associated with a new handler and K9 Rocky learning to work together would not be
efficient. Significant health concerns are expected with K9 Rocky’s age resulting in an unknown
number of veterinary bills or other associated cost, such as specialty food or medications.
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: October 8, 2024
Alternative 2 – Retire and release all interest of K9 Rocky and allow for his handler to adopt him.
Cost Implications: $0
Pros: The Port will not be liable for any cost or care for K9 Rocky. He will be adopted by his
former handler who would assume all costs associated with his care and provide a healthy
and safe home for the dog.
Cons: None
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The department is not requesting any funds for this authorization.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) POSPD Hold Harmless Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
January 4, 2022 – The Commission authorized retirement and conveyance of Port-owned K9
Ty to the handler.
July 26, 2022- The Commission authorized retirement and conveyance of Port-owned K9
Merlin to the handler.
