State rep. gets firsthand look at Stanley Police efforts

As a law enforcement officer for over 18 years and a former Chief of Police, I understand how hard it is to fight the meth and opioid epidemic we see ravaging our communities. I also know how it tears families and communities apart. That’s why I visited the Stanley Police Department to learn more about what they are doing and how they use their K9 Unit to help fight the epidemic and educate the community.

Chief of Police Lance Weiland and K9 handler Tyler Lewien shared how they first decided to invest in a K9 for their department. A K9 assists with things ranging from detecting drugs and explosives, finding crime scene evidence and missing people, and apprehending a subject at the command of their handler. K9s are very versatile and are a great asset to help combat the drug epidemic.

A K9 Unit in police departments is integral in both fighting the drug epidemic we see communities across Wisconsin facing, but also educating our society about the dangers of using and abusing drugs, what that does to families, and the consequences you can face if you chose to use drugs. I am so impressed by the Stanley Police Department, and all the other departments who invested in a K9, for being forward thinking and investing in their community. We must all do our part to educate others to end the drug epidemic.