(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Royal High School students are stepping up with purpose and a shared commitment to keeping their community safe in a campaign to support the Simi Valley Police Department’s K-9 Unit. As part of a civic engagement initiative, juniors Elizabeth Rakowski and Katherine Kim have partnered with SVPD to raise both awareness and funds for the department’s hardworking canine officers and their handlers.
Their project grew out of Royal’s partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which encourages students to participate in public service. Inspired by that mission, Elizabeth and Katherine began organizing school-based outreach, meeting with K-9 handlers, and creating online content to educate others about SVPD’s K-9 Unit. Their goal isn’t just to raise money—it’s to build understanding and appreciation for the work these dogs and their partners do every day.
SVPD’s K-9 Unit is a key part of the department’s Operations Division. These specially trained dogs assist in searching for missing persons, tracking suspects, detecting narcotics and explosives, conducting building searches, and supporting officers in potentially dangerous situations. The dogs—Maui, Zeus, Maxx, Ranger, and Johnny—work closely with their human partners in the field, offering skills that technology alone can’t replace. Their presence also serves as a deterrent to crime, reinforcing safety during patrols and public events.
As part of their outreach, the students visited the Simi Valley Police Department and met with Sergeant Jason Wilkinson and one of the K-9 handlers. They learned firsthand about the department’s current team of dogs. Zeus is the longest-serving K-9, with seven years at the station. Maui has served four years, and Maxx has been on the job for three. Ranger and Johnny are currently undergoing training. Each dog brings unique expertise to the department: Maui and Zeus are trained to detect explosives, while Maxx, Ranger, and Johnny specialize in narcotics detection. This blend of experience and specialization allows the team to respond effectively to a wide range of public safety needs.
The Simi Valley Police Foundation sponsors the department’s K-9 Program, helping ensure the dogs and their handlers have the resources they need, said Bill Klepper, the Foundation’s board treasurer. He said it recently cost about $40,000 to acquire and train the department’s two new K-9s. Annual maintenance costs—including veterinary care, training, gear, and food—can easily run into the tens of thousands per dog.
To share their message with the broader community, Elizabeth and Katherine have turned to social media. Through their Instagram account, @backing_the_badge, they post snapshots of the dogs in action, interviews with handlers, and surprising facts—like the one about how K-9s can distinguish between identical twins. Their posts strike a balance between informative and fun, and their goal is simple: help the public see these officers, both two- and four-legged, as approachable, dedicated, and deeply connected to the community they serve.
On their GoFundMe campaign page, the students explain their mission clearly: “Our objective is to help out the police in our town who are devoted to keeping us and our community safe.”
“I stand with those who stand for us,” Elizabeth said in a statement, when asked what sparked her idea. Katherine said she wanted to “put a friendly face to all of the officers, including the dogs, that protect us from danger.”
Their campaign is gaining traction not just for its message, but for the heart behind it. It’s a reminder that community service isn’t limited to adults or professionals—it can start with two determined students, a camera, and a sincere desire to give back.
To follow along or lend your support, visit @backing_the_badge on Instagram or donate through their GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/e98b3fb2. Supporters can also give directly to the Simi Valley Police Foundation at https://svpf.org and mention Kathy and Elizabeth when making their donation. For more information about the Foundation or to inquire about direct contributions, contact the Simi Valley Police Foundation directly.
