Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeLand commission approves $12,500 K-9 purchase from forfeiture fund
Summary
Commission voted to buy a fourth K‑9 for the DeLand Police Department using law‑enforcement forfeiture funds. The dog, a Labrador already imprinted for narcotics detection, will be assigned to the West Volusia narcotics task force and later to patrol.
The City of DeLand on March 17 approved a resolution to purchase a fourth police K‑9 for $12,500 using the city’s special law enforcement forfeiture trust fund.
Chief of Police Umberger told commissioners the department currently operates three K‑9s — two protection dogs (German Shepherds) cross‑trained for narcotics and suspect apprehension and one Black Labrador used for narcotics detection and tracking. The new dog is planned to be a Labrador focused on drug detection with additional cross‑training for tracking and evidence searches.
Chief Umberger said the dog will initially be assigned to the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force and later placed with DeLand patrol when the handler returns to the department. He said the dog comes partly trained: “The dog comes with some training already, is imprinted with narcotics, so that when our handler takes it, it's already got some imprints on it so the training can be completed quicker,” he said.
City staff noted the vendor’s original invoice for a “green dog” was $10,500 but the imprinted, partially trained animal carries a $12,500 price — a $2,000 increase. Chief Umberger said the purchase is an eligible use of forfeiture funds and noted the vendor provides guarantees with the animal.
Commissioner Kevin Reed moved approval; Commissioner Dan Reed seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
No contract number was provided in the meeting record, and the packet did not specify name‑branding for the individual animal; staff said the dog’s name would be changed after acquisition.
