Sharing Ohio's Best: University Circle Police Department

SHARING OHIO'S BEST

University Circle Police Department

September 2023 Agency of the Month

“OACP’s Community Relations and Engagement Committee is honored to recognize University Circle Police Department as the September, 2023 Agency of the Month for the Sharing Ohio’s Best program. We congratulate Interim Chief Tom Wetzel and his staff for utilizing a four-month-old Labrador named “Grace” as their community policing face in their community. Grace has helped in a variety of ways in spreading the good news of policing and helping ease tensions. This is certainly a program that could be extended throughout Ohio and the nation for others to try. We are grateful for the ongoing efforts of our Ohio agencies of leading the way for positive outcomes in community policing. This is just one hundreds of ideas that exist in Ohio’s agencies that we hope to continue to showcase as they are submitted.”

Are YOU the best? Submit your agency today!

The University Circle Police Department has a new Community Policing puppy named GRACE who is doing amazing work in building BRIDGES OF TRUST with those we serve particularly their youngest customers. Grace is a four month old lab with a wonderful demeanor. Her handler is Sgt. Kurt Keeper.

The dog’s role is strictly community policing. It has no bite, suspect tracking, or drug detection applications. Its roles includes the following:

Accompany officer on foot patrols
Attend community events
Visits to hospitals
Visits to schools as part of our youth outreach
Visits to our treasured institutions such as the Botanical Gardens and world famous Cleveland Art Museum
Officer wellness benefits for the officers. Grace is a welcome relief for officers after dealing with all the stress and dangers they may encounter during a tour of duty.
Comfort therapy applications for crime victims or children exposed to violence. Grace will respond to calls where her presence could help a child dealing with trauma.

Interim Chief Wetzel believes Grace is the only k-9 in the state and maybe country with this SPECIFIC title and assignment as a COMMUNITY POLICING K-9. Many departments have therapy dogs or community outreach ones but Grace is solely for Community policing applications.

Grace brings smiles to people's faces and helps break down barriers as she is a community's canine. Chief Wetzel believes every police department in the country should have one.

ATTENTION OACP MEMBERS:

We want YOU to submit your story; best community policing ideas!

We are here to help share the good things happening in Ohio’s law enforcement agencies with one another and in local media!

OACP Member agencies are then eligible to receive a small grant to help keep your community policing ideas moving in the right direction!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY!

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