Rock Hill Police Department

South Carolina law enforcement continues to evolve in response to changing community expectations, emerging challenges, and the need for sustained public trust. Professional growth requires more than tactical proficiency. It demands strategy, leadership, and measurable engagement.

On Wednesday and Thursday, April 1–2, 2026, the Law Enforcement–Community Engagement Training Summit will be held in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This summit represents a forward-looking effort to elevate community engagement as a defined discipline within South Carolina law enforcement.

For years, agencies across the state have identified the need for structured engagement models, outreach frameworks, and partnership development strategies. This summit answers that call. It is designed to move beyond one-time events and toward long-term, professionalized engagement strategies that strengthen legitimacy and improve public safety outcomes.

A Strategic Approach to Community Engagement

Effective policing requires trust, credibility, and consistent partnerships. This summit focuses on developing those elements through practical training and peer collaboration.

Training topics include:

• Understanding the roles of law enforcement and the community in engagement efforts
• Managing community engagement events with structured planning strategies
• Measuring the effectiveness of engagement initiatives
• Developing ongoing engagement strategies beyond single events
• Mentorship initiatives such as “Mentoring with Blue”
• Addressing officer wellness and avoiding burnout
• Strategies related to homelessness in South Carolina
• Understanding human trafficking from a victim-centered perspective

These sessions are built to equip agencies with repeatable frameworks and measurable outcomes. The focus is not symbolic engagement, but sustainable strategy.

Professional Development at an Accessible Level

The summit will take place at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center, located at 326 Technology Center Way in Rock Hill. Lodging is available at the Cambria Hotel Rock Hill – University Center.

Registration is $50 per attendee and includes access to all sessions, conference materials, select meals, networking opportunities, and training hours.

This summit also connects South Carolina agencies to the broader Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN), which has grown to more than 400 members across 47 states. South Carolina agencies now have the opportunity to bring this level of professional collaboration to the forefront within our state.

A Forward-Looking Opportunity

Community engagement is no longer an auxiliary function. It is an operational responsibility that directly influences public confidence, officer safety, and long-term agency effectiveness.

Agencies that invest in structured engagement training position themselves to lead rather than react. They build stronger relationships, create measurable impact, and establish internal standards that can be replicated across divisions and jurisdictions.

South Carolina law enforcement leaders, command staff, supervisors, and officers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to advance their agencies and strengthen their communities.

Registration is now open.

For additional information, contact:

Captain Roderick Stinson
Email: rod.stinson@cityofrockhill.com

To register, scan the QR code on the official flyer included with this post or follow the event registration instructions provided.

Professional growth does not happen by accident. It is built through deliberate investment, collaboration, and disciplined training. This summit is an opportunity to move South Carolina law enforcement forward together.

On a September evening in Rock Hill, police officers responded to a call no family should ever have to make. A woman reported that her partner had chased her through the house with a knife, threatening her life. When officers arrived, the suspect fled. K9 Apollo, a trained police dog, was released to stop him before anyone else could be hurt.

Apollo did his job. He caught the suspect and held him on the ground until officers could move in. But instead of surrendering, the suspect turned his knife on Apollo and stabbed him several times. Only the quick response of other officers and emergency veterinarians saved Apollo’s life. He is expected to recover and return to duty. Read the full story here.

Apollo’s ordeal is not an isolated case. He is one of many police K9s in South Carolina who have been severely injured or killed in the line of duty. These animals are more than assets. They are partners, protectors, and in many cases, lifesavers. When they are attacked, the entire law enforcement team suffers, and the community they serve is put at risk.

Why the Law Must Change

Despite the sacrifices K9s make, South Carolina’s current laws do not provide adequate protection. The penalties for harming a police dog fall short of the seriousness of the crime. Stabbing a law enforcement K9 is not the same as damaging property. It is an assault on an officer who has sworn to serve, just one who happens to walk on four legs instead of two.

Two bills are now before the General Assembly that would correct this failure. House Bill 3034 and Senate Bill 427 are nearly identical measures designed to strengthen protections for police dogs. They increase the penalties for injuring, disabling, or killing a law enforcement K9, and they make clear that an attack on a K9 is an attack on the rule of law itself.

These bills reflect a principle that transcends party lines. They recognize the essential role K9s play in modern policing and the dangers they willingly face. Passing them would put South Carolina alongside other states that already treat violence against police dogs with the gravity it deserves.

More Than a Symbol

For many officers, their K9 is more than a partner on duty. These dogs live with their handlers, train with them, and share in the risks of every shift. They sniff out narcotics, track down fleeing suspects, and locate missing children. They protect officers from ambush and shield citizens from violence. In countless situations, they make the difference between life and death.

When a suspect stabs a K9 like Apollo, it is not just an attack on a dog. It is an attempt to cripple the ability of law enforcement to protect the public. Stronger laws will ensure that those who commit such crimes face consequences that match the harm they inflict.

How You Can Help

Legislation does not pass on its own. It requires citizens to raise their voices and demand action. The Fraternal Order of Police has made it simple for you to do just that. With just a few clicks, you can contact your representatives and senators and tell them to support these bills. Use our online form today.

Your message matters. Lawmakers listen to their constituents, and they take note when a community unites behind an issue. By speaking up, you can help ensure Apollo’s story leads to lasting change.

A Call to Action for South Carolina

K9 Apollo risked everything to protect his community. He survived, but others have not been as fortunate. Each time a K9 is harmed, we are reminded that these animals stand on the front lines for us. They deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve the protection of our laws.

The General Assembly has the opportunity to act this session. Passing H.3034 and S.427 will show that South Carolina values courage, loyalty, and sacrifice — not only in its human officers but in the K9s who serve beside them.

Now is the time to make your voice heard. Stand up for Apollo. Stand up for every K9 who patrols our streets. Contact your legislators and urge them to support the K9 Protection Bill: Write your legislators now.