RCC helps K-9 program buy equipment
Published 10:34 am Thursday, May 12, 2016
K-9 officer Sonic. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Police Department recently received a $500 donation from the Criminal Justice Society at Riverland Community College, further strengthening the bond between the unit and the community.
The money was handed over Wednesday morning in front of the Law Enforcement Center.
The club is made up of students in RCC’s Law Enforcement Program. The club has made it a point to raise money each year and donate it to a cause.
This year the money will go toward purchasing needed items for the K-9 unit.
“This is a donation to the K-9 unit to buy agility equipment,” said Lt. Matt Holten, K-9 officer.
In the past money has been donated to the Freeborn County K-9 Unit, I.J. Holten Intermediate School’s robotics program and the Rochester Police Benevolent Association, which helps law enforcement officials receiving care at Mayo Health Systems.
This year, the Austin unit stuck out.
Members of The Austin Police Department and Riverland community College Law Enforcement Program pose outside of the Law Enforcement Center Wednesday morning. From left: RCC student Matt Peters, Law Enforcement Program instructor Rich Watkins, director Steve Wald, Lt. Matt Holten and Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger. In front K-9 officer Sonic. The Criminal Justice Society club recently donated $500 to the K-9 Unit
“We all took a vote and agreed where the money best suits,” said student and club member Matt Peters. “This was one of the big ones.”
The Austin Police Department has recently been kicking up an effort to further work through the community which seems natural, especially considering the partnership that already exists between APD and RCC.
“RCC students have been great,” Holten said. “It gives us a chance to work with possible officers or us.”
APD Chief Brian Krueger agreed, saying that RCC has had an influence on hiring within the department.
“Currently, about 50 percent of our staff attended Riverland Community College,” Krueger said. “It’s a large pool for us. It’s a great resource here in our community. It’s vital for their program and ours.”
The move of the club to raise the money is all student-run and starts early, continuing through the year with numerous fundraisers.
K-9 officer Sonic watches handler Matt Holten.
“This is all student-led by the Criminal Justice Society,” instructor Rich Watkins said.
For Riverland Law Enforcement program director Steve Wald, the move to help the K-9 unit was a bright point for him particularly.
A former Austin police officer, Wald himself was a K-9 officer working with several blood hounds.
“It kind of gives me a little extra pride,” Wald said.
As the K-9 unit continues to create a strong bound within the community, the money is just another example of how the two sides can help one another.
“On behalf of the Austin Police Department, I just want to thank RCC for their generous donation to the K-9 program,” Krueger said.
