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Council OKs use of donations to start vape-detection K-9 program for schools
Summary
Springville City Council approved Resolution No. 2025-08 to use existing donated funds to purchase and begin training a vape-detection canine for local schools, with the high school SRO assigned as handler and an emphasis on connecting students to recovery services rather than criminal prosecution.
Springville City Council voted to approve Resolution No. 2025-08, authorizing the use of existing canine donations to pay start-up costs for a vape-detection canine program before the official adoption of the FY 2026 budget.
Police Chief Haight told the council the department already operates a narcotics detection canine program and wants to add a specialty dog trained to detect vaping products in schools. The department selected a vendor that raises and begins training Labrador retrievers; the animals receive more than a year of initial training, spend time with a family, and then attend POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification, a 10-week course. Staff said the next POST course is in April, and the timing requires spending the donated funds in the current fiscal year if the city wants the dog in place for the coming school year.
Chief Haight said donations already held by the department would fund the start-up costs, and the school resource officer at Springville High School would serve as the handler. The chief described the program as focused on school health: when the dog alerts, staff would connect students to substance-abuse resources rather than pursue criminal charges. "If we can prevent the students from bringing the vapes to school, then that will help curtail the spread," Chief Haight said.
Council members asked about the type of dog and where it could be used. Haight said the vendor breeds Labradors and that, although the SRO at the high school would be the primary handler, the city could explore using the canine at other schools or in neighboring jurisdictions if permitted. He also said Springville High School has a full-time student substance abuse advocate who would be available to help students identified through the program.
A council member moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-08; another member seconded. The council then adopted the resolution by roll-call vote with recorded yes votes from Craig, Jake, Logan, Mindy and Mike. The mayor asked the chief to provide updates to the council on the program's progress.
