REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MINDY CASTO, Chief of Police
Office of the Chief
BY: BURKE FARRAH, Deputy Chief
Police Department/Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Naming the "Arakelian Family Kennels" (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt the Resolution naming the "Arakelian Family Kennels".
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Police Department is recommending the soon to be completed new K9 kennel facility be named the Arakelian Family Kennels. The Fresno Police Department (FPD) K9 Unit was established in 1993 and is located on a 16.29 acre site at 4772 E. Robinson Avenue. The FPD K9 Unit is a specialized unit under the Support Division.
BACKGROUND
The police dogs are utilized every day, assisting patrol and other specialized department units with warrant arrests, building searches, suspect tracking, evidence location, vehicle stop, narcotic searches, dignitary protection, and accompanied by special units if necessary. The department currently has 12 canine handlers and canines. In 2024, the K9 Unit responded to more than 3,200 calls for service and assisted in over 800 arrests. Although response to K9 requests for patrol is the department's top priority, members of the K9 Unit do respond to community "meet and greets". The community strongly supports our K9 Unit that almost on a weekly basis they are being requested for various events at local schools, career fairs, service clubs, and the Big Fresno Fair.
The FPD K9 Unit has several K9s that are certified in fentanyl-detection the first in Fresno County. In addition, the K9s and their handlers have competed in regional K9 trials and has won awards in agility, obedience, explosive detection, and patrol competitions. The competitions have occurred throughout California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The canines reside with their respective handlers; however, there are occasions where the canine will be kenneled. Currently, there isn't a location ...
Click here for full text