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Bolivar council clears K‑9 retirement, agrees to split cost for SkyCop cameras and CID remodel
Summary
Council approved retiring K‑9 Officer Jewell so the dog can be transferred to an agency in need, and approved up to roughly $22,600 from the general fund to cover half the purchase and remodel costs for two SkyCop cameras and a CID office remodel; police will cover the remainder from drug funds.
Bolivar’s council approved two police department requests at its October meeting: declaring a K‑9 officer surplus so the dog may be transferred, and authorizing a funding split to acquire two SkyCop cameras and remodel a Criminal Investigation Division (CID) office.
On the K‑9 request, the police chief explained Officer Jewell had had multiple handlers and that the department must declare the dog surplus and retire him before transferring or selling him. Miss Ray moved to retire Officer Jewell; Miss McKenna seconded and the motion carried.
The council also considered a police proposal to purchase two SkyCop camera units (one pole‑mounted and one mobile trailer) and to remodel the CID office to provide secure evidence storage and work space. Mayor Julian A. McKillick Sr. presented the figures as follows: a pole‑mount camera at $11,075, a mobile trailer unit and associated costs presented during the meeting, and an approximately $7,500 budget for the CID remodel. The mayor asked the council to fund up to $22,600 from the general fund as the city’s share and said the police department would contribute the remainder from drug forfeiture funds.
Councilman McKinnon moved to approve the funding split and Mr. Williams seconded; the meeting record shows the council proceeded with roll‑call voting. During discussion members raised placement and pole availability along Highway 64 and noted TDOT’s response time for pole installation has been slow.
The mayor also reported Safe Streets task force activity from Aug. 23 to Sept. 30, saying the task force issued 101 citations and made multiple felony drug arrests as part of 11 shifts; he commended officers for their work.
What’s next: city staff will coordinate procurement, confirm exact equipment totals and delivery locations, and return any final contract or purchase documents to the council for execution.
