The Whitewater Police Department will officially swear in their newest canine officer, Tilla, who will be accompanied by his handler, Officer Justin Stuppy, at the December 4th Common Council meeting.
The City of Whitewater Police Department’s K-9 program focuses on drug detection and tracking and will now add the component of apprehension. With the retirement of canine officer Boomer in January 2017 and the passing of canine officer Ruso in July 2018, the addition of Tilla allows for the police department to train in all three techniques.
The department worked with Little Rock K-9 Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, the same academy that worked with K-9 officer Ruso. This well-respected kennel has received high recognition for their K-9 dogs and training program.
Tilla, a high energy, 2-year-old male, black German Shepard from the Netherlands was chosen as the new K-9 officer. Tilla graduated from Little Rock K9 Academy after months of training. Tilla is certified in narcotics detection, tracking lost persons or suspects and apprehension.
“Tilla is expected to be a great addition to our agency,” said Police Chief Aaron M. Raap. “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,” Chief Raap shared. “K-9 Officer Tilla and Officer Stuppy have been properly trained and they will undoubtedly prove to be a force multiplier within our community.”
Officer Justin Stuppy was again chosen to be Whitewater’s K-9 handler. Stuppy began formal training with Tilla in October of 2018. Stuppy was the handler for the city’s previous canine, Ruso. Tilla will be sworn in as the newest member of the Whitewater Police Department’s K-9 Unit on December 4, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Common Council Meeting. The public is welcome to attend.
“We deeply appreciate the community’s continued support of the City of Whitewater Police K-9 program,” said Raap. “This program likely could not have been sustained without the community’s ongoing, generous support as 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.”
Chief Raap stated the K9 program remains a ‘BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY’ initiative.
For the most up to date fundraising events, to purchase police K-9 swag or seek additional ways to financially support Tilla and K-9 Handler/Officer Stuppy, visit the Whitewater Police Department Facebook page, the City of Whitewater website or stop at the Whitewater Police Department.
