OTTAWA — Ottawa police detective Rick Geist is retiring after 30 years on the force. Geist is indelibly identified with the Ottawa police’s youth programs McGruff Club and DARE. Geist said he found such programs to be a blast for him. Adults need to spend time with kids, he said. Because kids look up to police officers, if a police officer isn’t willing to talk to kids, he’s in the wrong business, he said. The department is hosting a retirement reception for him this afternoon from 3 to 5 at the Ottawa Fire Department. Another long-time lawman, sheriff’s detective Allen Campbell retires Friday.
Thursday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.
