Buena Vista Board of Trustees have approved two expenses within the Buena Vista Police Department to further public safety, including vice analyzer and a K-9 unit.
There was unanimous approval by the Board of Trustees for a $7,000 budget amendment to upgrade the Voice Stress Analyzing software for the Buena Vista Police Department (BVPD). The Voice Stress Analyzer is a truth verification system that police departments use to solve cases.
BVPD Sergeant Sam Livingston gave a brief presentation to the board on the benefits of the Voice Stress Analyzing software. According to Sergeant Livingston, the software has been utilized 35 times in the past two years.
“It’s been involved in 19 cases and instrumental in clearing 7 felony cases. It helped clear a felony theft case, numerous misdemeanor cases and I do pre-employment examinations with it,” said Livingston. “When applicants come in, we get to check their integrity.”
The Town of Buena Vista purchased the basic level software from NITV Federal Services, LLC two years ago for $2,995. supporting it with one training session for an additional $1,295.
NITV Federal Services will credit the Town of Buena Vista $2,995 for returning the old software, and will provide the upgrade for $7,000. The $7,000 upgrade includes two training sessions worth $1,295 apiece. The training sessions allow the BVPD some flexibility in sustaining trained staff who can use the software.
“This thing is 100 percent accurate. It doesn’t miss a beat,” said Livingston. “It just takes someone who knows how to use it.”
The funds for the software upgrade will be reallocated from the sales tax surplus.
The Board of Trustees also approved a resolution allowing $15,500 of town funds to be used to purchase a new K-9 for the BVPD.
Due to recent Colorado legislation changes,Jax, the BVPD’s current K-9 who has served the Town of Buena Vista for four years, is no longer able to fulfill his duty.
Jax is described as a single-purpose K-9; meaning he is trained for one purpose, in this case only for narcotic-sniffing purposes.
Currently, no proven methods for re-training exist. To replace Jax, the BVPD is recommending the purchase of a dual-purpose K-9. Dual-purpose K-9s are used in various searches, including building, weapons, and narcotics; suspect tracking, and criminal apprehension.
The new K-9 would be purchased from Johnson’s K-9 in Colorado Springs.
“We would go through the same organization we bought Jax from. They’re phenomenal trainers,” said BVPD Officer Ben Adair, who has served as Jax’s handler for four and a half years. “They train most of the K-9 agencies south of Denver.”
Adiar said there are several costs associated with adding a new K-9 beside the actual purchase. They include training, certification and health-maintenance (food, veterinary care, and insurance). Johnson’s K-9 includes complimentary training sessions in the purchase cost of their K-9s.
“If we ever need it, [Johnson’s K-9] holds a free training session every Wednesday to correct issues with the dog,” said Adair. “This is a free service for the lifespan of the dog.”
The BVPD is looking for another department that would be willing to purchase or adopt Jax.
“Jax has been my partner for four and a half years. I care about him,” said Adair. “Jax is a missile. He’s a police dog. He’s not a home dog. Hopefully we find someone to use him.”
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