MOHAVE COUNTY — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has made the decision to separate from the Mohave County Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation following ongoing concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the foundation’s ability to continue fulfilling the purpose for which it was created.
In 2017, a group of concerned citizens approached the Sheriff’s Office with the goal of establishing a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program. Those citizens formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a stated mission that donated funds would be used to support the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to specifically recognize and thank those original members of the foundation who stepped forward with the vision of strengthening our K-9 Program and supporting public safety in Mohave County. Their dedication, commitment, and fundraising efforts during the early years of the foundation created a tremendous benefit for our K-9 teams and the citizens we serve.
Through the generosity of citizens, businesses, and organizations throughout Mohave County, and through the hard work of those original foundation members, funding was raised to support the acquisition, training, and care of K-9 teams serving our community.
A significant portion of those funds were utilized early in the foundation’s existence for the purchase of K-9s and the training of K-9 handlers. These investments directly strengthened the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division and enhanced our ability to serve and protect the citizens of Mohave County.
The Sheriff’s Office remains deeply grateful to every individual and organization that contributed to this effort. Those donations were made with the understanding and expectation that they would support the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program.
Over time, changes occurred within the foundation’s leadership and membership. Following those changes, the Sheriff’s Office began experiencing concerns regarding the foundation’s operations, including a lack of transparency and an unwillingness to provide financial information necessary to ensure accountability and confirm that donated funds were being used consistent with the stated mission of supporting the K-9 Program.
The Sheriff’s Office made efforts to address these concerns and maintain a cooperative relationship. However, without transparency and accountability, they could not ensure that donated funds were being handled in a manner consistent with the expectations of the citizens and organizations who generously supported this effort.
The Sheriff’s Office requested that the foundation restore the transparency necessary to continue the partnership or provide the existing funds that were raised specifically for the support of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program so those donations could continue to be used for their intended purpose. The foundation has declined to provide those funds to the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program and has advised that existing funds under its control will instead be directed elsewhere.
The Sheriff’s Office respects the role of private organizations and their ability to make independent decisions. However, they also have a responsibility to protect the integrity of their programs and to honor the intent of citizens and organizations who donated with the understanding that their contributions would support the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program.
The Sheriff’s Office will be working with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to seek legal guidance and pursue appropriate remedies to protect the interests of the K-9 Program and the donors who supported this mission.
Their commitment to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division remains unchanged. Their K-9 teams continue to be an essential part of our law enforcement mission, assisting with narcotics detection, apprehension of dangerous offenders, searches, and the protection of our deputies and the public.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to accept donations directly in support of the K-9 Program. Citizens, businesses, and organizations who wish to support our K-9 teams can be assured that contributions made directly to the Sheriff’s Office will be used for the intended purpose of enhancing our K-9 Division and supporting the mission of protecting the citizens of Mohave County.
They are grateful to the citizens, businesses, organizations, and those individuals who supported the K-9 Program and helped establish a stronger foundation for our K-9 Division. Their generosity and commitment have made a meaningful difference in our ability to serve Mohave County.
Additional information will be provided as appropriate as this matter moves forward.
