Consider and take appropriate action on a request for Deputy Yarborough to attend a two-week K9 Trainer Course  in Fort Pierce, FL from 10/19/26–10/30/26. (Commissioner Shea)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Deputy Yarborough has been a dedicated asset to the Sheriff’s Department since October 2012. Since January 2021, he has stepped up to fulfill the critical role as an acting K9 Trainer for our unit. While he has excelled in this capacity, past attempts to send him to a structured, formal trainer's course were unfortunately denied due to critical staffing shortages and operational assignments at those times.  This specific trainers course is half the cost and time as what we have sent our past K9 Trainers to.   Due to systemic failures and closures among local canine vendors, our agency faces a critical operational bottleneck. Sending an officer to an accredited, high-level instructor course will allow us to establish an in-house training program, ensuring unit sustainability, legally defensible certification standards, and significant long-term cost savings.