Welcome aboard, Tilla

Whitewater Police Department Officer Justin Stuppy will introduce new K-9 officer Tilla to the public at the Common Council meeting today. (Submitted photo)

Whitewater Police Department to introduce newest K-9 officer

The Whitewater Police Department will swear in its newest canine officer, Tilla, at the 6:30 p.m. Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

His handler, Officer Justin Stuppy, will accompany Tilla.

The department’s K-9 program focuses on drug detection and tracking and will add a compo — apprehension.

With the retirement of K-9 officer Boomer in January 2017 and the passing of successor Ruso in July 2018, the addition of Tilla allows the police department to train in all three techniques, according to a news release.

The department worked with Little Rock K-9 Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, the same academy that worked with Ruso. This well-respected kennel has received high recognition for its K-9 dogs and training program.

Tilla is a 2-year-old black German shepherd from the Netherlands, graduating from the academy after months of training. He is certified in narcotics detection, tracking lost persons or suspects and apprehension.

“Tilla is expected to be a great addition to our agency,” Police Chief Aaron M. Raap said in the news release. “It has been said that dogs don’t rationalize. They don’t hold anything against a person. They don’t see the outside of a human but the inside of a human,” Raap said. “K-9 Officer Tilla and Officer Stuppy have been properly trained and they will undoubtedly prove to be a force multiplier within our community.”

Stuppy was again chosen to be Whitewater’s K-9 handler. He began formal training with Tilla in October after serving as Ruso’s handler.

“We deeply appreciate the community’s continued support of the City of Whitewater Police K-9 program,” Raap said. “This program likely could not have been sustained without the community’s ongoing, generous support. The program is not supported by city tax dollars, but rather as a citizen partnership program. The sustainability of our program will continue to rely on annual fundraisers and private donations. Your generous donation will help to sustain the program and cover annual and/or unexpected expenses.”

Raap said the K-9 program remains a By the Community, For the Community initiative.

For more information, visit the Whitewater Police Department’s Facebook page, the City of Whitewater website or stop at the department (312 W. Whitewater St.).

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