Laguna Beach Accepts Donation: 2 K9 Cops, 1 New Police Vehicle

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Laguna Beach's new mayor Sue Kempf and the Laguna Beach City Council have agreed to add two new K9 cops in the department.

The city council approved a generous donation toward their purchase at Tuesday's city council meeting.

Earlier this summer, Laguna Beach Police lost their lone K9 officer, Ranger, to cancer, according to the department. He was remembered on September 21, on the department's remembrance day, which included a tribute to the K9 division of the department with the new K9 memorial by Gerard Stripling was unveiled next to the larger police memorial “Eternal Legacy.” The tradition of the Laguna Beach K9 officers will continue, thanks to a donation from Bob and Bobbi Roper, the Offield Family Foundation and the Crevier Family Foundation.

Shohreh Dupuis, City Manager of Laguna Beach, applauded the donation while City Councilman and new Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen asked exactly how the funding worked for the acquisition.

"I appreciate the donations of course," said Whalen.

The three donors, The Crevier Family Foundation, Bob and Bobbi Roper and the Offield Family Foundation amassed $146,300 to purchase the vehicle and the two K-9 police service dogs.

According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, a 2022 K9 Ford Interceptor will be purchased to drive the officers, in an amount to not exceed $46,000 and conversion not to exceed $47,000.

The cost of purchasing and training the two police service dogs from Adelhorst International is expected to be $53,280, according to the report.

Laguna Beach Chief of Police Jeff Calvert discussed the plans for purchasing the new officers.

"We're looking at the first quarter of 2022 to introduce our first K9 and the second quarter to introduce our second K9," he said.

The dogs are trained not only for apprehension but are also trained in narcotics, according to Calvert.

They become a "force multiplier" for officers in the field, he said.

"Having the dogs provide seven days a week coverage, with one on the front half of the week and one on the back half of the week, would add a layer of public safety," he said.

The city council unanimously approved the donation and acquisition of the new officers.