LTC 306-2020 Miami Beach Police Department Crisis Response Dog ProposalDocuSign Envelope ID: B149CE33-F257-4A53-91AC-68AFD693C6B9
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 306-2020 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: September 8, 2020
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SUBJECT: Miami Beach Police Department Crisis Response Dog Proposal
This Letter to the Mayor and Commission is to provide information on a new program being
proposed by the Miami Beach Police Department to add a Crisis Response Dog to its
Victim Services Unit. The cost of the proposed Crisis Response Dog, the associated
training from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and the necessary purchase of
equipment would be funded with assistance from the Miami Beach K9 Knights Inc., a
Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation.
Research has shown that therapy animals present in specific situation/location ( e.i. court
houses, nursing homes, hospitals, airports, police departments, etc.) lessen anxiety,
enhance experiences, and therefore produce more positive outcomes. As a result, over
the last few years, a growing number of Police departments have added therapy dogs to
their force, including a few in the State of Florida. In most instances, these dogs have been
used specifically as crisis response dogs and have been critical for victim services, witness
interviews, and officer wellbeing, providing:
• Emotional safety - help individuals feel safe after they have been exposed to an
extremely stressful situation or trauma
• Support without judgement - help individuals find support without the concern of
being judged by others.
• Quiet, calm support - help individuals process through their situation
The Victim Services Unit (VSU), within the Police Department's Crime Investigations
Division, provides services to approximately 1,300 victims per year. Aside from domestic
violence, which constitutes the most significant number of victims, VSU regularly serves
victims of sexual assaults, physical assaults, human trafficking, and victims of crimes
resulting in emotional or physical injuries, such as hit and runs, residential burglaries, etc.
VSU also provides services to surviving family members in case of non-criminal tragedies,
such as suicides, drownings, overdoses, and to victims of mass casualty events, such as
Pulse and the Parkland Shooting. In addition to assisting these victims and surviving family
members, the Crisis Response Dog would be essential to raise awareness about victim
services during Police and community events as well as create bond with community
members during events hosted by the Police, the City, and/or its community partners,
including schools, senior centers, etc.
VSU, currently staffed by 6 victim advocates, a supervisor, and a volunteer, is open for
services weekdays from 7:00am to 11:00pm and weekend days from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Two advocates are also on call outside of these hours. Victim advocates offer victims
information, emotional support, and help finding resources and filling out paperwork.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B149CE33-F257-4A53-91AC-68AFD693C6B9
Sometimes, advocates go to court with victims. Advocates may also contact organizations,
such as criminal justice or social service agencies, to get help or information for victims.
The Crisis Response Dog would be available on a daily basis within the Police Department
to provide support to all employees. This would be a simple, proactive, non-confrontational
resource to help build morale, reduce work and personal stress and improve emotional
well-being. The Crisis Response Dog would also intervene in the following situations:
• Immediate response to critical incidents or difficult incidents involving civilians or
employees of the police department.
• Immediate response to crisis incidents (natural or man-made events) with victims
of crime such as school shootings, homicide and other violent acts where the Crisis
Response dog could comfort a victim or witness during a traumatic incident.
• Be available to meet with a child who is a victim or witness of a crime prior to, and
or after the forensic interview.
• Assist DCF and road patrol Officers with elderly abuse/neglect cases on Miami
Beach.
• Relocating families of domestic violence. The Crisis Response dog provides
comfort, safety and support without judgment.
• Participate in Miami Beach Police Department sponsored community awareness
events that allow the community to know the availability of the Response K9
Program.
• Any other opportunity in which a child, adult or department employee would benefit
by having the Crisis Response dog present.
The Police Department has implemented a Wellness Program called S.T.E.P.P. The
mission of the program is to provide training, education and resources that help each
individual preserve the five pillars of wellness and ultimately lead to a healthy and
productive life. The five pillars include S - Support Systems, I- Tactical Knowledge and
Skills, E - Emotional Well-being, P - Physical Health and P - Personal and Financial
Stability. One of the resources the department provides for the pillar of Emotional Well-
Being is a Peer Support Team. This team is comprised of colleagues who are available
24/7 and formally trained to provide help, comfort and resources to our employees. The
Crisis Response Dog would be a valuable addition to our Peer Support Team.
The Brevard County Sheriffs Office, which has a program where inmates train therapy
dogs, has offered to donate a therapy dog and cover the mandatory handler training costs.
The victim advocate handler has been identified and training would take place in
December 2020 to then start the program January 2021.
The Miami Beach K9 Knights Inc. is a local, not-for-profit corporation established in the
State of Florida in 2013. Through memberships, events, and donations, K9 Knights Inc.
obtains funding to purchase and care for trained police dogs and equipment for the Miami
Beach Police Department (MBPD). The Miami Beach K9 Knights Inc. are willing to provide
financial assistance to initiate and support this proposed program for the Miami Beach
Police Department.
Chief Clements is available to answer any questions about the proposed program.
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