STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Safe
AGENDA DATE: August 13, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Dominique Artis
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the acceptance of a donated Electronic Storage Device Detection K-9 with an estimated value of $11,000.00 from Our Rescue to the Dallas Police Department - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
Electronic Storage Device (ESD) Detection K-9’s are trained to search for and detect electronic devices and have been used successfully by law enforcement agencies across the United States. ESD Detection K-9's have been integral to high profile investigations, arrests, and successful prosecutions.
ESD include cell phones, hard drives, thumb or flash drives, SD cards and various other devices used to store information that can be used as evidence in a wide range of criminal investigations and especially as part of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigations. These devices have become more and more common in all criminal investigations and due to their small size, are easily hidden hindering detectives from gaining access to crucial evidence. In the case of ICAC, almost all evidence to include child pornography is stored on such devices and usually well hidden by the offenders.
The Dallas Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit is the task force leader and commander of the North Texas ICAC Task Force which is responsible for 112 counties in its Area of Responsibility. Having a secondary ESD Detection K-9 available to the Dallas Police Department and its surrounding counties can help ensure valuable evidence is not missed during the execution of search warrants at a residence, business or vehicle in relation to an ongoing criminal investigation. The use of this ESD Detection K-9 would not be limited to ICAC investigations, and this resource would be available to all investigative units of the department.
Our Rescue has generously agreed to fully fund an ESD Detection K-9 for the Dallas Police Department ICAC task force. They have agreed to provide funding for training by Jordan Detection K-9, travel, lodging, and per diem while in training, the K-9, any vet bills, food, other K-9 supplies, and annual recertification training cost for the entire duration the animal is in service. The value of the initial donation is approximately $11,000.00.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Public Safety Committee will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 11, 2025.
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
Our Rescue
Derek Benner, Chief Executive Officer