Penn Hills Police K-9 Unit Visits Elementary Students

Students at our elementary school had a special visit this week from the Penn Hills Police Department K-9 Unit. Officers and their highly trained police dogs spent time demonstrating how the K-9 teams work together to serve and protect the community.

During the presentation, students learned about the important role K-9 officers play in law enforcement, including how the dogs are trained, how they assist in searches and how they help keep both officers and residents safe. For many students, seeing the K-9s up close helped replace the unknown with understanding.

“It means everything,” said Jason Bonace, Chief of the Penn Hills Police Department. “These moments are where real trust starts. When we walk into an elementary school, we’re not there as enforcers, we’re there as human beings, as neighbors, and as people who care deeply about the kids in this community. It’s an opportunity for them to see who we really are and for us to invest in them early. That’s not just important for today; it shapes how they view us for the rest of their lives.”

Chief Bonace explained that opportunities like this help remove fear by giving students a clearer understanding of law enforcement. “Kids often only see police in serious situations, lights and sirens, high-stress moments,” he shared. “When they get to see our K-9s up close and understand their purpose, it replaces fear with understanding. They learn that these dogs and these officers exist to protect people, to help find those who are lost, and to keep everyone safe. It also shows them the discipline, training, and partnership behind what we do.”

The visit also highlighted the importance of building strong community relationships from an early age. “Trust doesn’t start in adulthood; it starts in childhood,” Chief Bonace said. “When kids meet us in a positive environment, they grow up knowing us as people first. They carry that with them. They go home and talk to their parents about it. They remember it years later. These visits break down barriers before they ever have a chance to form.”

He emphasized that early positive interactions are one of the department’s most important investments. “It’s critical. Early positive interaction creates familiarity, and familiarity creates trust. When kids grow up seeing us as approachable and supportive, they’re more likely to feel comfortable coming to us when they need help. It also helps them understand that we’re here for them, not against them.”

We are grateful to the Penn Hills Police Department and Chief Bonace for taking the time to engage with our students. The visit was not only educational and exciting, but also a meaningful step in strengthening the partnership between our schools and the community.