Photo courtesy of Katie Guisinger

Though many school extracurricular activities had to cut the year short because of COVID-19, the West Central Valley Criminal Justice Club still recalls having a memorable year.

Stuart Police Officer Katie Guisinger started the club last fall in order to educate high school students on the different career opportunities associated with criminal justice. The club got to meet with an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer, National Guard recruiter, and an Iowa State Patrol Trooper and K9 officer. They also managed to tour the Polk County Jail in March before the state public health emergency was declared.

Though fall school plans are uncertain for West Central Valley, Guisinger hopes she can continue holding the club and expanding their activities, “We’ve talked about incorporating maybe a community service project, something they might enjoy doing to give back to the community. That’s one of my focuses even as a police officer is community outreach, and so part of the club I kind of wanted to show them that being in criminal justice there’s more than just being at a desk or doing the traditional job people see. It’s being out and being available to help people, so I’d really like to incorporate that next year.”

Another community outreach program from the Stuart Police that’s on pause due to COVID-19 is the Books & Badges monthly storytime program at the Stuart Public Library, though Guisinger and Officer Daniel Irving did recently bring some smiles to local in-home daycares by delivering donuts, books, and stickers on National Donut Day.