• Square-facebook
  • X-twitter
  • Instagram
Time to read
1 minute
Read so far

YSCO, GPD to receive K-9 body armor donation

Tue, 08/06/2019 - 10:18 am
  •  
    Graham Police Department Office Hailey Calcote with K-9 Wolf who joined the department November 2018. Wolf will be receiving a donation of body armor from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The organization, established in 2009, is located in East Taunton, Mass. and follows the mission of providing a bullet and stab protective vests along with other assistance to law enforcement and related agencies dogs throughout the nation. (Contributed photo)
editor@grahamleader.com

Graham Police Department will be receiving a donation of K-9 body armor from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The organization, established in 2009, is located in East Taunton, Mass. and follows the mission of providing bullet and stab protective vests, along with other assistance, to law enforcement and related agencies dogs throughout the nation. The organization has provided over 3,400 vests in all 50 states through private and corporate donations totaling $5.7 million.

GPD Chief of Police Brent Bullock said the K-9 officers in their department serve a vital role and these vests make sure they stay safe.

“It basically protects the dog that is serving as a tool for our citizens and for us. They are an officer of the department is the way we look at them, even though it is a tool,” Bullock said. “I know the handlers consider them their first partners, so to us that’s important to keep them safe.”

Bullock said Officer Hailey Calcote and K-9 Wolf, who is receiving the vest, have been together since November 2018 and during that time have taken 30 grams of methamphetamine off the street.

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, Aug. 7 edition of The Graham Leader.