Rio Rancho Stadium goes to the dogs for RRPD K9 Competition

Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele was nervous and excited as the public began to file into Rio Rancho Stadium Saturday for the inaugural Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics K9 Competition his department was hosting.

The event was something the police chief had been a part of with another department in Boynton Beach, Florida, that saw great success in bringing the police department and community together. “I thought it would be a good fit here,” he said.

“This has been seven years in the works for us,” Steele said of the event as he welcomed the crowd.

“These events are quite popular out there on the East Coast,” RRPD Capt. Jacquelynn Reedy said.

“I’d like to welcome all the guests, all participants, to the first-ever K9 Competition presented by the Rio Rancho Police Department’s K9 unit,” Mayor Gregg Hull said. “It’s also a pleasure to see all of the participating agencies gathered here today representing a myriad of communities and jurisdictions.

PHOTOS: RRPD Law Enforcement Torch Run K9 Competition

More than 20 law enforcement dogs from several agencies competed in Saturday's inaugural Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics K9 Competition hosted by the Rio Rancho Police Department at Rio Rancho Stadium. Three of RRPD's K9s participated in the event.

“Today marks a significant moment as we celebrate the invaluable contributions of K9 units to public safety. These remarkable units serve as a steadfast ally in safeguarding our communities with unwavering dedication and unparalleled skill," he continued. “Additionally, I’d like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for special Olympics. Their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to supporting the Special Olympics community are nothing short of admirable.”

“The Rio Rancho Police Department prides itself on maintaining a strong relationship with our community,” Steele said. “I believe in community; I believe we are all in this together. … The Law Enforcement Torch Run and community police activity is designed to help raise public awareness and further support the mission of the Special Olympics to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.”

The RRPD, Reedy noted, has long been a big supporter of the Special Olympics and the Rio Rancho Rockets, the local Special Olympics delegation.

“Known as guardians of the flame, our Rio Rancho Police Department officers proudly partnered with the Law Enforcement Torch Run to build inclusive communities and bring hope to Special Olympic athletes and their families — all of this while raising funds for Special Olympics locally and globally,” Steele said.

The competition began early in the morning with events not open to the public — because of safety concerns — easy in the morning, Reedy said, including narcotics, building and explosives searches. The public portion included an obstacle course run, obedience drills and bite drills.

RRPD participants included Abraham and his handler, Sgt. David Portis, who is a bomb and patrol dog; Chance and handler Officer Brittany Ingram, narcotics and patrol; Rocky and handler Officer Isaac Gianinni, also narcotics and patrol; and Rio, the RRPD therapy dog, and handler Officer Kim Hopper greeted the public at the RRPD booth. K9 Officer Nigel did not compete as he recovers from a recent surgery.

As the public portion got under way, Hull shared his excitement.

“With anticipation and excitement, we eagerly look forward to the challenges and triumphs that today will bring, so on behalf of myself and the city council and the city of Rio Rancho, we’d like to welcome all of you today to the first-ever K9 Competition benefitting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Mexico,” he said.