Canine Maintenance. An officer assigned to the canine unit will be compensated 120 hours a year for canine maintenance. One (1) ten-hour shift will be scheduled off above the regular days off at the discretion of the Chief of Police or Sergeant as assigned. This day off shall not cause overtime or compensation time to be earned by other employees or shall not be on a designated holiday.
Canine Maintenance. Any officer assigned as a canine handler shall have duties relating to the well-being of her/his canine partner including, but are not limited to: • Exercise • Grooming • Feeding • Transporting the canine to/from the animal hospital or veterinarian for routine checkups, vaccinations, or emergency care • Procuring food and supplies • Cleaning of canine’s kennel and/or squad • Recommendations for additional training required by the officer and/or canine • Recommendations for canine budget requirements • Recommendations for changes in Department policy relation to use of canines • Planning for appropriate care for the canine during any of the handler’s off duty time. The cost of such arrangements shall be at City expense but shall require the prior approval of the canine handler’s supervisor. The canine handler must be willing to make a minimum commitment of five (5) years to the program, however, this shall not prohibit a member from seeking promotional opportunities. The canine handler shall be granted a 1/2 hour of straight time pay per day for canine maintenance. If a canine handler is assigned to training for an entire shift, canine maintenance will be conducted during that shift if the training does not span the entire shift. The canine handler shall not be entitled to ½ hour of straight time pay for canine maintenance on a day when the canine is boarded. There shall be no additional compensation or reimbursement by virtue of the officer’s service as a canine handler. Based upon the operational needs of the Police Department, the canine handler acknowledges that they may be subject to additional callouts or deployments with the canine partner as needed from time to time, and that such work hours (or any overtime work hours) shall be addressed in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement. Reasonable expenses of care for the canine, including feed, equipment, veterinary care, grooming, and similar expenses shall be paid by the Police Department (subject to approval by the canine handler’s supervisor). Reasonable expenses for boarding shall include up to twenty (20) cumulative days of boarding paid at the department’s expense. Additional boarding may be approved at the sole discretion of the Chief. The canine partner shall remain the property of the City of Sycamore unless and until released from such ownership by the Police Chief and shall not be removed from the City of Sycamore, related patrol areas, or canine handler’s residence, with...
