Council told to delay second police robotics-dog purchase pending more deployment data

City Manager Dennis told the Wichita City Council that staff recommends deferring the second authorized purchase of a police robotics dog until January 2027 so the Wichita Police Department can complete training and gather more deployment data before buying another unit. The original authorization, approved on Jan. 19, allowed one purchase and left a second purchase for council consideration in July.

The city manager said police are "still doing staff training" and have not had many deployments; staff therefore wants either a date-certain deferment to January 2027 to align with the CIP schedule or a tabling motion that would leave the decision open-ended so police can bring the matter back when ready. Council members asked whether the item could be deferred indefinitely; staff clarified that deferral sets a date certain while tabling is open-ended.

A council member praised the Police Department for seeking more operational data before purchasing a second unit, calling the approach fiscally responsible and data-driven. The council did not take a formal vote during the briefing; staff framed the recommendation as returning with more information or a revised agenda item at the later date.

The council will either be asked to set a date for the matter to return or to table it; no funds were authorized or reallocated at this briefing.

Next steps: staff will prepare an updated agenda item that either schedules the purchase for January 2027 or allows the department to bring the item back when they have sufficient deployment experience.