Comprehensive Statement on K-9 RAK

Statement Relating to K9 RAK

Given recent discussion and inquiries relating to K9 RAK circulating online, and the recent changes occurring within the PD, the Town Council wants to provide additional insight to the public to promote transparency.

In mid-October, RAK’s handler and partner was placed on administrative leave. Shortly thereafter, the former Town Marshal was also placed on administrative leave. Both ultimately resigned their positions with WPD. In the intervening period, one of the numerous donors who helped raise funds to contribute to the Police Department’s initiative of adding a K9 began posting online that she was RAK’s owner and that she had a contract with the Police Department, prompting the Town Council to reach out to investigate what she meant by this statement. The donor began to express frustrations with the two (2) former officers, stating she had a contract with those officers relating to RAK, and that they were in violation of it. 

The donor also stated that she wanted RAK returned to her, and believed that she was entitled to $16,000 by virtue of her donation efforts, the frustration she faced by the former Officers, and the purported contract. As of this date, no contract has ever been found or presented either in Town records or by the donor to support her request for a return of the donation made to the K9 fund. As a result, the Town Council worked with the interim Town Marshal Billups to facilitate the retrieval of RAK back to Winfield. Once returned, the Town offered several times to return him to the donor, but explained that absent supporting information, a return of a donation would not be given. After having RAK evaluated by a local veterinarian and, in consultation with local law enforcement and experts in police K9s, the recommendation was made that RAK be medically retired due to a prior on-duty injury he suffered previously, coupled with the unknown condition of his training while he was removed from Winfield.

The Town Council is grateful for the hundreds of donors across this community who came together to support WPD and our officers, as well as to help add another K9 to our history. It is regrettable that RAK was injured on-duty and missed training. It is regrettable that the K9 program was administered in a way that caused frustration to our generous community residents, citizens, and supporters. We look forward to re-working how K9s are utilized by the WPD with our new Town Marshal in order to best serve our residents and provide improved public safety services.