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Sheriff’s office to retire a canine, dissolve routine travel‑advance account and accept expanded co‑responder grant
Summary
Sheriff’s staff briefed commissioners on a K‑9 retirement and handler adoption, a plan to dissolve a longstanding travel‑advance account in favor of premium advances for long assignments, and an award expanding MH co‑responder units to four positions.
Spokane County sheriff’s office staff briefed the board on three operational items during the Sept. 23 briefing: (1) the planned retirement and handler adoption of a K‑9 due to health concerns, (2) a proposal to dissolve an advance travel account and replace routine advances with premium advances for extended deployments, and (3) acceptance of a multi‑year mental‑health co‑responder award that expands co‑responder coverage.
Kevin (Sheriff’s Office) said 1 of the sheriff’s canines must retire for health reasons tied to a blood/hormone condition that makes full‑time work unsafe. The sheriff’s office requested authorization to release the dog to its handler for adoption; commissioners and staff discussed a celebratory adoption and possible visit outreach.
County finance/staff presented a resolution to dissolve the old Sheriff’s travel advance account (MBSH 2 advanced travel account). Staff said the county discontinued routine travel advances for most departments years ago and now offers targeted premium advances for travelers whose travel exceeds two weeks (for example, long training assignments); staff said the sheriff will use premium advances for long assignments and that routine short travel will not receive advances.
Kevin also briefed the board on a WASPIC (as described in the briefing) MHFR award that will fund an expanded co‑responder program: the award will allow two units downtown and two units in the Valley (four co‑responder positions total) over the next two years. He said the Valley and city partners will cover some deputy and vehicle costs locally; the award will fund contracted behavioral health staff (Frontier Behavioral Health) who will accompany deputies in co‑response units. Kevin said the program expansion restores and increases the county’s previous co‑responder presence.
Ending
Staff said the travel‑advance account changes and K‑9 retirement paperwork will be completed administratively; acceptance and implementation details for the co‑responder award will be brought to the board for any required formal acceptance and contract authorization.
