RCPD

We stirred up a little something special last Saturday! 📷📷 RCPD Public Information Officer Joshua Kinder cooked up the "Best Chili in the Ville," and we're proud to take home the Aggieville Chili Crawl crown for 2026. Thank you to the Manhattan Optimist Club for sponsoring this awesome event, and thank you to everyone who stopped by, grabbed a bowl, and made the day such a fun time. We love serving this community — especially when chili is involved!

We want everyone to have a spook-tacular time this Halloween, but please be safe when you take your little goblins out for trick-or-treat events.

Thank you to Kohlmeier Orthodontics for the AJ's Pizza! We truly appreciate you thinking about RCPD on National First Responders Day.

The Riley County Police Department would like to honor Patrol Major Scott Hajek today for a remarkable 25 years of service to the Manhattan and Riley County communities. Hajek started his career as a patrol officer on Oct. 28, 2001. He was assigned to Aggieville in 2003 and became a police training officer in 2004. Hajek earned the first of two RCPD Life Saving Awards after using life-saving measures on an infant that was in distress in October 2004. His second life saving award was in 2006 when he helped save a man contemplating suicide on K-18. That same year, Hajek was named RCPD Officer of the Year. Also a recipient of the department's Meritorious Service Award, Hajek was promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and then Lieutenant in 2020. He served RCPD with numerous stints in patrol and investigations before promoting to Major in 2022 and taking over the Support and Administrative Services Division in early 2023. Hajek was named Patrol Major in November 2024. Also in 2024, Hajek posted high marks at the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville where he earned the Director's Award for Academic Excellence and the B. Edward Campbell Service Award. He was also recognized as a Dean's Scholar by the University of Louisville. Hajek has served RCPD with tireless dedication, standout leadership, and unwavering integrity. Please join us in congratulating Major Hajek for his outstanding service to RCPD and our entire community for 25 years!

Today we honor the dedicated men and women who answer the call when our community needs them most. From our police officers, dispatchers, corrections staff, and entire RCPD personnel to Manhattan and Riley County firefighters, EMS personnel, local hospital staff, and mental health advocates, your commitment, courage, and compassion make a difference every single day. Whether you're responding to an emergency, answering the call for help, or working behind the scenes to keep Riley County safe, your service does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to protect and serve Riley County!

It only takes a few seconds to lock your vehicle, but those seconds could save you from becoming a victim of theft. Always lock your doors, remove your valuables, and never leave your keys inside. Don't make yourself an easy target!

The Riley County Police Department is hiring an IT Helpdesk Support Technician! This full-time position has a starting pay of $22.70/hour. The deadline to apply is Oct. 28, and the starting date is Dec. 14. Please visit our website’s Employment page — loom.ly/_8k6Y24 — for more information about this opening.

We want to thank the area property managers who took part in our safety talk with RCPD Corporal Shepard at the Strasser Village Apartments last week. RCPD regularly participates in speaking events throughout the year, including safety talks for groups, businesses, or clubs. If your organization would like to schedule a safety talk, please fill out the Community Engagement Form available at rileycountypolice.org under the "How Do I..." tab.

RCPD's Meritorious Service Award was presented to Officer Brek Jager on Monday during the Law Board meeting, recognizing his 20 years of service as a member of the department’s tactical team. Throughout his tenure, Officer Jager has demonstrated courage, dedication, and devotion to duty. Serving primarily on the entry element and frequently as the point officer, Officer Jager has often been at the forefront of encounters with violent offenders during tactical operations. His judgment, composure under pressure, and commitment to the safety of his fellow team members contributed to the success of numerous critical operations. His service on the tactical team reflected the professionalism and dedication expected of its members. In February 2023, Officer Jager was selected as Assistant Team Leader, taking on a leadership role focused on the development of others. He provided instruction and mentorship in the safe resolution of high-risk incidents, tactical movement, communication, and use-of-force considerations. He has also shared his experience with prospective team leaders, helping prepare them to lead during complex operations. His commitment to teaching and mentoring others strengthened the tactical team and contributed to the continued professionalism of the department. Please join us in congratulating Officer Jager on his 20 years of service and contributions to the tactical team.