ADCRR tells Senate panel its K9 unit needs 26 replacement dogs and better vehicles

Deputy Director John Marcello of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry told the Senate Committee on Public Safety that the department operates 52 K9 handlers, 14 bloodhounds and 61 detention canines and that 25 canines retired in the past year. Marcello said the agency needs 26 replacement canines — 16 for detention, one dual‑purpose team and nine trailing dogs — to sustain operations.

Marcello described an aging, nonstandard vehicle fleet that creates safety and equipment problems for canine transport. Committee members and ADCRR staff noted some vehicles listed to carry K9s include high‑mileage sedans and varied makes and models, which requires disparate, costly retrofits to secure dogs safely. He said some agency vehicles have more than 200,000 miles and that parts/equipment compatibility complicates maintenance.

Brianna Williams, identified as the agency’s chief licensed liaison, introduced the presentation and thanked the committee for its support of corrections staff. Marcello invited senators to tour ADCRR facilities, including a new security operations center at agency headquarters, and said modernized systems and a maintenance plan would be needed to keep K9 vehicles safe and operational.

No formal action followed the presentation; the committee moved on to other agenda items after brief questions from members. The committee did not specify funding or a timeline for replacements during the hearing.