TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Matt Henry, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Dawnn Jackson, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
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Approve an Agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC
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ABSTRACT
City police departments utilize K-9 units to significantly enhance public safety, officer protection, and operational efficiency. The Murrieta Police Department currently has three service dogs and a fourth service dog scheduled to join the K-9 unit in Fiscal Year 2026/27. The current contract for K-9 procurement and training is set to expire on June 30, 2026. This report seeks a new agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC, for K-9 procurement and handler training services. The proposed agreement is for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with up to two additional one-year renewal options, in an amount not to exceed $310,000.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approve an agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC for K-9 Procurement and Training Services not-to-exceed $310,000.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On July 20, 2021, the City Council approved a five-year agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC for K-9 Procurement and Training Services and adopted Resolution No. 21-4442 authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Murrieta (Vote: 5-0) .
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Provide a high level of innovative public safety.
DISCUSSION
History
Adlerhorst International has been providing police service dogs and K-9 training since 1976, supplying dogs and training services to more than 500 law enforcement agencies nationwide and internationally. Based in Riverside County, Adlerhorst is one of the largest private police dog training facilities in the world. All training is conducted by instructors who are certified California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) evaluators with extensive experience in service dog instruction.
The City of Murrieta (City) Police Department (Department) has utilized Adlerhorst International as its exclusive K-9 provider since 1999. All department service dogs have been purchased through Adlerhorst, and all K-9 handlers receive their initial training through Adlerhorst-certified programs. Handlers also participate in regular monthly and annual training to maintain proficiency, ensure consistency with established deployment standards, and remain current with accepted law enforcement K-9 practices.
Pros/Cons
The Department currently maintains three service dogs with an estimated six (6) to eight (8) years of service remaining, and is budgeted for a fourth K9 to be purchased in FY 2026/27 to complete the K9 team. Use of a different vendor would void the existing warranties on the Department’s three (3) service dogs, each of which has an estimated four (4) or more years of service remaining. This could negatively impact the legal support and expert testimony historically provided by Adlerhorst following K-9 deployments. Transitioning to a new provider would also create inconsistencies in training standards compared to surrounding agencies with which the City of Murrieta Police regularly coordinates during critical incidents. Consistent training through a single provider is therefore essential to maintaining operational continuity and legal defensibility.
Legal Authority
Per Section 3.08.280(G) of the Murrieta Municipal Code, the City Council is authorized to enter into contracts for personal services, for professional and consulting services, and for other contractual services without observing the bidding procedure provided in this chapter when the City Council finds that adherence to the procedures in this chapter would be inefficient, impractical, and unnecessary.
The City previously entered into an agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC for K-9 training services that is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The Department is requesting approval of a new agreement with Adlerhorst International for K-9 procurement and K-9 and handler training services for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with up to two additional one-year renewal options, in an amount not to exceed $310,000. The proposed agreement is attached.
PUBLIC NOTICING
This section confirms that the agenda for this meeting was posted at least 72 hours in advance in accordance with the Brown Act.
CEQA AND REGULATORY OVERVIEW
This item is not subject to CEQA review.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this agreement is included in the Police Department’s FY2026/27 Operating Budget in the GL accounts 1103160-71030 (K-9 purchase) and 1103180-64360 (training).
The total fiscal impact associated with approval of this five-year contract is $310,000. Budget for the K-9 procurement and K-9 handler training is available in the biennial Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 GL account 1103160-71030 and 1103180-64360. The proposed five-year agreement has a not-to-exceed amount of $310,000. Budget for succeeding fiscal years will be included in a future biennial budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
ATT 1 - Agreement with Adlerhorst International, LLC