Title
Donation from Phoenix Police Foundation for Phoenix Police Department Tactical Support Bureau and Canine Unit (Ordinance S-49515)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to accept a donation of funding for one Throwbot 2 Robot for the Phoenix Police Department Tactical Support Bureau and one K9 Storm Vest for the Canine Unit from the Phoenix Police Foundation for up to $19,519. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept all funds, and for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Tactical Support Bureau, including the Canine Unit, is responsible for handling all violent and potentially violent incidents, particularly involving barricaded subjects. The use of a police canine provides officers with a tactical advantage when searching for criminal suspects. This advantage is an invaluable tool in the rapid detection of criminal suspects and protection of officers to ensure the safety of the community.
To assist the K-9 team during searches, the K-9 Unit is requesting a Throwbot 2 robot. This "robot" is remote controlled, which allows the person controlling the equipment to view the environment from a protected position prior to any officer or canine entering a structure or location. This "robot" can be deployed from a safe distance and are designed to be thrown, due to their robust design. Each "robot" can withstand repeated drops from 30 feet onto concrete. They can also be forward deployed in a residential structure or large building. This allows the search team to partition the search while being able to see any approaching threats.
Having knowledge of the environment and threats within prior to entering a structure is always preferred and difficult to achieve. This technology, already in use by multiple units within the Phoenix Police Department, will reduce the surprise and sometimes violent encounters with subjects by allowing the team to develop entry and arrest plans based on factual information.
Additionally, the K9 Storm Vest is a wraparound level II ballistic soft armor vest which will be issued to Officer Fisher and K9 Eli. This vest will protect K9 Eli from pistol caliber projectiles and is stab resistant. K9 Eli is deployed on numerous high-risk incidents every week. The Phoenix Police Department has lost numerous K9s to gunshot wounds and this would provide K9 Eli maximum protection.
This donation consists of $19,519 in funding to purchase one Throwbot 2 Robot and one K9 Storm Vest.
The Phoenix Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Foundation is committed to addressing unmet capital needs of the Phoenix Police Department, providing financial assistance in crisis situations, and recognizing those who protect our community.
Financial Impact
There is no cost to the City.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.