Are they Trained to carry a weapon
ADELANTO — Animal control officers will be authorized to carry firearms on the job, an acknowledgement by the City Council that the line of work can be dangerous, but also a money-saving remedy to vulnerability at City Hall.
Under the policy unanimously approved by the Council on Wednesday night, Adelanto's three animal control officers will be issued city-purchased firearms. In addition to the training they've already received, they'll undergo instruction every four months under the guidance of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
While the green light set off concerns from some who questioned the dramatic shift from non-lethal weaponry, with resident Jeanette Ansu suggesting hard-charging animals could be handled by a Taser, the focus of the Council seemed to be more so on the recent shootings in the U.S. in Dallas, Baton Rouge and San Bernardino.
Calling animal control officers "technically law enforcement," Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright described their significance to public safety as surpassing their dealings with animals.
"They are the first defense if something happens here in City Hall," he said. "What are they supposed to do? I am a staunch advocate of being able to protect yourself."
One of three officers maintains a dispatch-type role inside City Hall and they'll be relied on now to protect employees and residents in the event of a crisis. Mayor Rich Kerr said he wanted an officer present in the facility 75 to 80 percent of the time.
The seemingly triple duty being expected of animal control — the officers are also cross-trained to perform code enforcement duties — highlights the city's press to bolster public safety within the constraints of an ultra-tight budget. The animal control department is essentially being asked now to supplement the efforts of three sheriff's deputies who patrol the city until a deputy can arrive on scene.
Kerr was clear, however, that the authorization to carry a firearm did not translate to code enforcement functions, which may be a tricky line to walk since many times the animal control officers quickly shift between the roles while out in the field.
"On code enforcement, no," Kerr reassured. "'Pull your weeds or we're going to pull a weapon?' It's not going to happen."
Following the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, the city hired private security to monitor City Hall. Now, it will be the responsibility of animal control officers like Community Safety Manager Steve Peltier, who said officers "welcomed" the extra training.
"It's a sign of the times," he said about the situation.
Earlier this year, the Council passed a plan that laid the groundwork for animal control officers to carry guns, but officials were also adamant at the time that there was no indication the city would move in that direction. In February, an ordinance OK'd by city leaders authorized Adelanto workers with concealed weapons permits to holster their legal guns to the hip.