On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department will host a formal “lighting” ceremony at the Regional K9 Training Center, at 2409 Dean Street, McClellan, CA, honoring the longtime support of the Rotary Club of East Sacramento, along with a new partner, the Rotary Club of Point West and Mel Rapton Honda.

The Sacramento Police Department and the Northern California Regional Public Safety Training Authority (NCRPSTA) received a donation of more than $15,000 from the Rotary Clubs of East Sacramento and Point West and Mel Rapton Honda for the installation of an electrical panel and field lighting for the first ever night training capability for the K9s and their handlers.  

“By providing for electrical power supply and putting up field lights, East Sacramento and Point West Rotary Clubs and Mel Rapton Honda have helped us create a 24/7 training facility that provides expanded ability for our K9 teams to train and learn in nighttime conditions,” according to Sgt. Joshua Dobson, Sergeant of the Sacramento Police K9 Unit.  Dobson added, “The bi-product of the collaboration of these organizations in helping us fund the added night time training experiences means a more effective training environment for our K9 teams that serve and protect the citizens of the Sacramento region.”

East Sacramento Rotary Club has actively supported the Sacramento Police Department K9 Unit for many years. In 2007, the Club fully funded the development of the regional K9 training facility and provided the labor to prepare the site, lay sod and plant trees. The facility was named in honor of East Sacramento Rotarians Les Schuler, and Bob Jennings, both of whom had helped to spearhead the initial work.  In 2012, the Rotary Club donated $10,000 for the purchase of a Sacramento Police K9 officer to replace a K9 officer that was medically retired.  And, In 2016, the Club donated more than $10,000 to construct carports for much needed sun shade to protect the K9 officers while training. 

For more information about the presentation ceremony, contact Sgt. Joshua Dobson, Sergeant of the Sacramento Police K9 Unit at jdobson@pd.cityofsacramento.org.