| A Request for an Advisory Opinion, submitted by Thomas S. Schneidau (the City Attorney for Slidell), regarding whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would prohibit the City of Slidell, through the Slidell Police Department ("SPD"), from placing retired K9 officers with their SPD handler or other sufficiently trained law enforcement employees of the SPD. |
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The SPD owns a number of highly trained K9 officers that work with specially trained (human) SPD officers in various law enforcement activities, including in narcotics detection and suspect apprehension. During their career, K9 officers remain in the custody of their handler, the K9 officer's human partner and an employee of the SPD. Upon retirement of the SPD K9 officer from active service, the SPD desires that the retired K9 officer live out its life with its handler or another adequately trained SPD law enforcement member. The SPD has inquired whether the Code would prohibit the handler or other SPD employee from receiving ownership of a retired K9 officer through action, private purchase, donation, or other means of disposition by the SPD.
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La. R.S. 42:1111(A)(1) prohibits a public employee from receiving anything of economic value, other than compensation and benefits from the governmental entity to which he is duly entitled, for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of his office or position.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
LaToya D. Jordan |
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