MPD’s internal investigation into K-9’s death due in January

A Maricopa Police Department internal investigative report into the June death of a K-9 officer is now expected to be released in January.

Ike, a 9-year-old Dutch Shepherd who had been with the department since 2013, succumbed to heat stroke after he was trapped in a police vehicle for more than 90 minutes on a 107-degree day.

The department is conducting its own review of the circumstances leading up to the events that unfolded outside the police department on June 26.

“We are still working through the appropriate steps in the process,” Luis Vila, communications coordinator for the police department, said last week. “As soon as those steps are concluded we will release the details of our investigation. It will likely be completed in January.”

That investigation will determine if Ike’s handler, Officer Craig Curry, violated MPD policy and whether disciplinary action is warranted. A review of department policies and practices and recommendations for change are part of the inquiry, Chief Steve Stahl said during a Nov. 21 “Coffee with the Chief” session.

Stahl said then, for example, the department would institute weekly inspections, instead of quarterly inspections, of K-9 vehicles.

Stahl, who has since announced his retirement from the force, effective Jan. 4, had said he expected the results of the investigation to be released by the end of November. The reason for the delay is unclear.

“…For the good of the organization, for the good of the community and, for the good of Officer Curry, we need to close this chapter in the book,” Stahl said at the time.

Responding to public questions about whether Curry was on administrative assignment, Stahl said the 12-year veteran was on duty as a police officer.

“There have been no criminal findings and the administrative findings (do) not inhibit him from doing the regular work of a police officer,” he said. “We have not replaced Ike and that decision is forthcoming in the near future on what, if any, we will do as far as replacement.”

There is one other K-9 unit in the department.

A criminal investigation report into Ike’s death was conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety was turned over to Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, who declined to prosecute Curry.

Curry told investigators he left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on when he entered police headquarters for an afternoon meeting. But when he checked on Ike during a break, the engine was not running and the windows were up even though the vehicle was outfitted with a heat safety system designed to alert the handler to problems with the vehicle that could endanger a K-9’s life.

Found in a severe state of heat stroke, Ike was euthanized about 11 hours later, on June 27.

Stahl announced Ike’s death two days later in a “Critical Incident Notification” video posted on the department’s YouTube channel. He gave few details at the time, other than calling it a “heat-related incident” and saying he would ask the state to investigate.

The department is planning a memorial for Ike for the end of January or beginning of February, Vila said. That, too, has been delayed after Stahl said earlier it would likely be held by Christmas.