Event Description

We are grateful that we have residents and business owners in the City of Crystal who give generously to the K9 Program. We are especially grateful to the Crime Prevention Board who started a 5K Run/Walk Event in 2014 which was called "Run for Rocco” in which all proceeds go the Crystal Police Department K9 Fund. On May 201, 2020 they will be hosting the new and improved Crystal's K9 Run at Bassett Creek Park. 

The City of Crystal Police Department has had a K9 program since 2012. Our first handler was Officer (now Sgt.) Geoff Kusick and his partner Rocco. Rocco was born in Slovakia and we obtained him from the St. Paul Police Department when he was 15 months old. He is a full blooded German Shepherd dog. Officer Kusick and K9 Rocco had the pleasure of training at the St. Paul PD K9 Training Unit for 12 weeks and graduated on May 23rd, 2012. 

He successfully worked for the Crystal Police Department for 6 years and during that time received many awards and accolades for his apprehensions, community engagement work, and his overall phenomenal disposition. We were proud to have Rocco on our force and he retired honorably in December 2018. 

Crystal Police K-9 Officer Leo started with the Crystal Police Department on December 8, 2018. He is originally from Hungary and he is part German Shepherd, part Malinois. Officer Caleb Selin is Leo's handler. K9 Officer Leo and Officer Selin attended 3 months at the St. Paul Police Department K-9 Training Unit, where they learned how to track, apprehend, search, and conduct obedience training. Leo and Officer Selin graduated the end of May 2019 and started working the road the beginning of June 2019. They are both looking forward to building a strong relationship with their community. 

Event details and schedule

8:30: Kids Race

9:00: 5K Start