2/23/21
Hi Tom, (Mayor Tom DuBois)
At last night’s city council meeting I had hoped, during oral communication, to briefly review some of the key issues raised by my letter and CPRA request below. My fault but I was having technical difficulties with accessing zoom. In any event, when your time permits, and I know you are very busy right now, including preparation for your upcoming state of the city speech, I would appreciate if you would review my letter, and more importantly the linked articles re the epidemic of police sponsored canine attacks on people of color and other vulnerable individuals across this country.
In addition, I have included, also in a link, the (CMR) City Manager Report reviewing the status of the PAPD canine unit back in 2005. I am not aware of any subsequent review of the PAPD canine unit, since that time, although there may have been a more recent review that I am unaware of.
In my concluding comments, below, I suggest that the city council consider expanding the scope of the IPA’s (Independent Police Auditor) duties to include a review of the current status of the PAPD canine unit and, going forward, including complaints involving the canine unit in the twice a year reports issued by our IPA. Please let me know your thoughts.
Best regards
Aram
2/21/21
CPRA request and cover letter re the current status of the Palo Alto Police Department’s Canine unit.
Dear City Council members, members of the Palo Alto Community, and the local press:
I am very concerned that as a community we are not as fully informed regarding the current status of the PAPD canine unit, as we should be. I’m requesting that we all do our part to obtain a full picture of the risks these canines potentially pose to the health and safety of community members attacked by these vicious dogs. My most recent concern was raised after reading a Daily Post piece, Jan, 28, 2021, “Police dog attacks innocent man,” an incident where a Palo Alto police dog was released on an innocent Mt. View resident, Mr. Joel Domingo Alejo, who subsequently filed a $20 million claim against the city of Palo Alto for injuries suffered in the attack.
In addition, I have attached two recent articles, see links below, that suggest the weaponization of police dogs targeting particularly African Americans is an under recognized form of police terror and brutality resulting in life threatening injuries, life changing injuries and even death. The first article: When Police Violence Is a Dog Bite (First published on 10/2/2020) gives a harrowing perspective on the fact that police dogs bite thousands of Americans every year and that few ever obtain justice.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/10/02/when-police-violence-is-a-dog-bite?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share-tools&utm_source=email&utm_content=post-top
The second piece, published Feb 12, 2021 is titled: The City Where Police Unleash Dogs On Black Teens (In Baton Rouge, police dogs bit a teenager 17 or younger every three weeks, on average) is an equally disturbing must read.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/02/12/the-city-where-police-unleash-dogs-on-black-teens?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share-tools&utm_source=email&utm_content=post-top
In addition I have attached the Palo Alto City Manager report from 2005 titled: REVIEW OF THE POLICE CANINE PROGRAM -- a report that was responsive to a CPDA request 1 filed on 9/5/2004 to then Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson. Said CPRA request is available should you wish to read it.
Here is the link to a 2005 CMR, Palo Alto city manager report, providing a detailed review of the Palo Alto Canine Unit, as it existed in 2005. The report looks at a 36-month time frame and also breaks down the 13 dog bites, reported during the 36-month time frame in question, based on race. Of the 13 bites, analyzed, four involved whites, five involved African-Americans, three involved Hispanics and one involved a Pacific Islander. (http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/cityagenda/publish/cmrs/4091.pdf )
Conclusion
During the course of 2020 and now in 2021 there have been discussions by the Palo Alto City Council regarding expanding the scope of the duties of the Palo Alto Independent Police Auditor. According to the CMR (City Manager Report) REVIEW OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S CANINE PROGRAM, dated January 10, 2005, CMR: 113:05, the Palo Alto canine program was developed in 1982, nearly forty years ago.
During this time frame, our Independent Police Auditor (established 2006) has to my knowledge, never reviewed complaints filed by community members, regarding allegations of use of excessive force by the PAPD canine team. It is my understanding that the canine unit is primarily used during nighttime shifts under cover of darkness and most often outside of public view. Given the current national epidemic of the thousands of Americans bitten by police dogs every year it is past time Palo Alto considers adding review of dog bite incidents, perpetrated by our canine unit, to the list of police complaints reviewed by our police auditor.
Sincerely,
Aram James
California Public Records Act Request
Re: Palo Alto Police Department’s Canine Unit (filed Feb 20, 2021)
1. Any and all City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Police Department documents and related information re the numbers of police dogs currently in the PAPD canine unit.
2. Any and all documents related to the purchase, training, and cost of maintaining the current canine unit.
3. Any and all documents and related information re the annual cost of maintaining the Palo Alto’s Canine unit. (The total annual canine budget for the Palo Alto Police Department)
4. Any and all documents re the number of times the canine unit has deployed their dogs during the last 36 months against a person. (# of times the canines have been deployed as a weapon as a opposed to the use of the canine in a search and rescue mission.)
5. Any and all documents reflecting the race of those who were attacked by dogs in the PAPD canine unit- during the last 36 months —from today’s date back 36 months.
6. While redacting the name of the individuals for privacy purposes —the number of individuals injured by the canine unit and the extent of said injuries...and all related documents redacted for privacy concerns. Including photos of the injuries.
7. Access to viewing all body worn camera footage of canine attacks going back 36 months.
8. A list of all complaints and lawsuits growing out of attacks by dogs on the canine unit going back 36 months from receipt of this CPRA request.
9. Any and all documents, name and type of artificial teeth, —and the material used to create these artificial teeth, that are made for each dog. For example
teeth made of titanium.
10. Any and all documents, and related information, regarding the vendor used by the PAPD to make teeth for each canine on the team.
11. Any and all documents, or related information, re the annual budget to pay for replacement of artificial teeth for the canine unit? Food budget? Medical budget?
12. All documents and information re the certification process each dog member
of the canine unit must go through.
13. Documentation or related information re whether the necessary documentation/certification for each canine is current.
14. The name of each officer assigned to the canine unit.
15. Any and all documents related to the training officers must undergo to qualify for membership to the canine unit.
16. Any and all documents and related information re the certification process members of the canine unit (police officers) must undergo to qualify for the unit.
17. Any and all current information and documentation related to re whether each police officer currently assigned to the canine unit has up to date certification? Is not currently certified?
18. Any and all documentation re the number of times a non police officer who has been bitten/attacked by a Palo Alto police dog has been required to obtain medical treatment during the last 36 months. Dating back 36 months from receipt of this request.
19. Number of times the victim of a Palo Alto Police dog bite or attack has been required to be hospitalized. Time frame going back 36 months from the receipt of this CPRA request.
20. Area or areas of the city of Palo Alto where police have released their canines most frequently.
21. Any and all information and documentation re the frequency (the number of times) the Palo Alto Police use their canine unit to assist the East Palo Alto Police during the last 36 months?
22. To assist the Mountain View Police Department during the last 36 months?
23. The Menlo Park Police Department during the last 36 months?
24. To assist the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office?
25. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office?
26. Monies spent on training either a police officer member of the canine unit or a dog member of the unit for out of the Palo Alto training?
27. Any and all emails, memos, written policies, and other documentation re the need to use the canine to keep or intimidate residents of East Palo Alto from traveling to Palo Alto. (last 36 months)
28. Any and all text messages (or similar electronic communications) between members of the canine unit and other members of the Palo Alto Police department, or other local law enforcement agencies reflecting racial bias, towards African Americans or other racial minorities. (Last 36 months).
28. Name of the canine supervisor and length of time that officer has occupied that role.
29. The name of the canine team manager and the length of time that officer has held this position.
30. Any and all documents or information re the number of times victims of canine bits, by the PAPD canine unit, have been transported to the Stanford Hospital or any other local hospital facility for injuries. (Last 36 months)
31. Cost of all hospital visits for canine bits inflicted by the PAPD canine unit (last 36 months)?
32. Any additional documents and information re the canine unit I have not specifically asked for but that are relevant to my current CPDA request for the current status of the PAPD canine unit.
33. Current Palo Alto Police Department policy or policies regarding the function, structure, and deployment of canines etc.
34. Name of the current computer system, i.e., Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) used to track all activity of the Palo Alto Police Department Canine Unit?
