Oil Capital K9 Fund’s mission is enhancing public safety; 4 paws at a time.
The Fund’s goal is to increase public safety via direct donation of finished canines, handler training and safety equipment to law enforcement agencies.
Oil Capital K9 Fund’s mission is enhancing public safety; 4 paws at a time.
The Fund’s goal is to increase public safety via direct donation of finished canines, handler training and safety equipment to law enforcement agencies.
Nationwide, Law Enforcement agencies struggle with understaffing and limited budgets; Oklahoma is no different. Of the 292 police departments and 77 sheriffs departments in the state, 90% are understaffed. Nationally, Oklahoma ranks in the bottom 20% of funding per capita on law enforcement spending. Shockingly, 22 (of 77) Sheriffs, in the state of Oklahoma can qualify for SNAP benefits just based on their salary alone.
A well trained and supported canine unit is one of the easier ways to stretch thin resources. A study conducted by the a County Commissioners Board in Florida discovered that having a police service dog team respond to calls can reduce closer times as much 77% and on average they close calls for service 27% faster than regular patrol officers and deputies. Providing targeted training and resources for canine units will help better utilize resources in law enforcement.
Since the early 1960’s Police Service Dogs have been used to act as force multipliers for law enforcement agencies. Police Service dogs are first and foremost used as location tools. Their superior olfactory senses make them perfect for locating contraband, explosives, electronic devices, evidence and people suspected of committing serious violent crimes. Second, they are used to effect arrests of violent non-complaint suspects.
Modern studies have concluded that access to police service dogs decreases the time needed to investigate suspected criminal activity and helps decrease the need for lethal uses of force significantly during high risk arrests and detainments. The addition of a police service dog to an agency should see improvements in call times and decreases uses of lethal force. Ultimately, they free up the very limited resources allocated to law enforcement agencies. They net effect is magnified in small agencies as their budgets are significantly smaller and the prices of canines and essential equipment is not based on departmental budgets.
The Oil Capital K9 Fund will focus on these small agencies with direct funding for the purchase of a canine, associated essential equipment, and state accredited mandated training.
