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Commission hears public alarm over dog-unit changes; chief says unit not being shut down
Summary
Public speakers raised concerns that the Vicious and Dangerous Dogs unit was being disbanded; Chief said the unit was never going to be shut down and pledged continued staffing and an update at the Aug. 18 meeting.
Multiple members of the public addressed the commission during the general public-comment period on Aug. 4, urging the commission to keep the Vicious and Dangerous Dogs unit intact and to provide clarity after press reports suggested reassignment of officers.
Speakers including a longtime neighborhood volunteer and animal-welfare advocates asked the commission to agendize the matter so the public could hear a formal clarification and asked that Sergeant Herndon and Officer Denney not be reassigned without transition planning. One speaker requested an official investigation into the operational change and called for rescinding reassignments if necessary.
Chief (Assistant Chief in transcript) Jeffrey Godown responded directly in open session: the dog unit remained under his command, staffings and assignments had not removed the unit from its responsibility, and the department had never planned to shut the unit down. Godown said misinformation in the media had triggered public concern and offered to present at the August 18 meeting to clarify staffing and operations.
The commission agreed to include a short departmental report and invited one or two speakers on the matter at the next meeting to ensure public understanding of the unit’s status.
No formal vote was taken on the unit’s structure at the Aug. 4 meeting; commissioners instructed staff to schedule a short report for Aug. 18 so the community can hear the department’s operational plans.
