Lincoln Christian Church Preschool children get a visit from the Lincoln Police Department

 

[September 20, 2024]    On Wednesday morning, September 18th, the children in Hannah Brimner and Kristy Cosby's Lincoln Christian Church preschool class got to explore the inside of a police car with police officer Jacquelynn Hannel.

Each of the children climbed up in the car and turned on the lights, honked the horn and spoke into the microphone that was a loudspeaker to get people's attention.

They got to ask any questions they had and Hannel handled them all. Afterward they were each able to pick out a colored pencil and receive a Junior Deputy Police sticker.

Lincoln Police Officer Corp. Chris Phillips came with the department’s two and half year-old police dog, Diesel. He explained to the kids what Diesel's job was and told them they had to listen and obey the rules he was going to give them about the dog.

They were not to pet the dog. They were to remain seated. And they were not to run. After talking to the children he went and got Diesel out of the police car. Again he told them the rules and said Diesel didn't know them and might bite if he thought they were a criminal.

Officer Hannel went and got the sleeve used for Diesel’s attack training. Diesel was put at full alert as though he were on duty and in pursuit of a suspect.

Officer Hannel said she had never been a part of Diesel’s training or practice and she was a bit concerned that she would perform properly. But for the officer, the role was relatively easy. She put on the sleeve and braced herself for when Officer Philips would give Diesel his command.

At the command, Diesel began pursuit and reached Hannel, instantly reaching for the sleeved arm. Though Diesel is a medium sized dog, he packs a lot of strength and power. Hannel had to brace hard to remain standing. Diesel grabbed the arm and kept hold until Officer Phillips reached the “suspect,” and removed Diesel from the arm.

For a moment the kids were concerned for Officer Hannel, but Diesel knew his job with the training sleeve and held on only to that without inflicting injury.

After officer Phillips gave the command to let go, Diesel released the sleeve and Officer Hannel was just fine.

The dog made an impression on the children, and they were still talking about the demonstration well after the officers had gone back to the station.

[Karen Castelein]