From 41 Action News KSHB Kansas City
SHAWNEE, Kan. – Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced a grant from his foundation will be given to the Shawnee Police Department.
According to a news release from the department, police will expand from two to three K-9s in their unit adding a dual purpose explosive team.
“I’ve been a K-9 handler for five years. It’s a position that I have always wanted to hold, dating back to the days I served in the United States Army. I’ve seen our unit grow from one to two K-9 teams within the last seven years,” Shawnee K-9 officer Shaun Arnold said in a news release. “We knew we could serve the area better with a third K-9 team, however it is a difficult item to pass with the budget constraints every municipality faces. “Words cannot express how thankful we are for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.”
The news release states the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2015-16 NFL season.
The foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.
This is the ninth season the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants for K-9 units.
The Chiefs will play the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 25.