Port Hueneme—The City Council, during its Monday, June 17 meeting, authorized purchasing a search-only non-apprehension Police canine and any related items with an estimated cost of approximately $25-30,000 using identified funds.
K9 Commander Robert Albertson said the Police Department has no canines, but the Department has a long history of Police canines.
“We were the first agency in Ventura County to have a program,” he said. “At one point in time, we had five working canines,” he said. “This canine would be an explosive and firearms detection canine and will not be used for apprehending suspects.”
He said they’ve spoken to the Port of Hueneme and Navy Base, and a canine is needed.
“At the Port, if they need a canine that could detect explosives, we have to bring one from Long Beach, and that’s if one is available,” he said. “The same with the Navy base. They do have explosives and firearms canines available. Some of that is depending on where they would be coming from. It would definitely be an asset to the Port and the Navy Base to have a firearms and explosive-detecting canine.”
He said funding for training has been budgeted, and they need funding…
