WRPD K9s Receive Protective Vests At No Cost to City

The Warner Robins Police Department’s K9’s Ego, Ollie, Kojak and Rasty all received a ballistic vest thanks to a nationwide GROUPON EVENT that has raised over $335,000.00.

The “Occasions ” campaign for Groupon Grassroots to outfit police K9’s with bullet and stab protective vests ran February 15th through March 5^th at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time.   Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was the nationwide non-profit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. The online $10 donation suggested interested persons purchase a GROUPON (a tax deductible donation) through the secure website where all funds were allocated to purchase ballistic vests for our four-legged crime fighters who put their lives on the line for the community and their partner.   

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their 7” plush stuffed German Shepherd K9 Hero, "Cesar", and the company ambassador of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. now for sale online for $15 at www.vik9s.org.  Proceeds from the sales will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.  

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. will be providing over 350 law enforcement dogs nationwide with the protective body armor in memory of K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department who sacrificed his life in the line of duty in January of 2014. All vests will be embroidered with the sentiment, "In Memory of K9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police".

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc a 501c (3) organization is still accepting donations through their website: www.vik9s.org and via mail P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

In 2013, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. partnered with Groupon and was named as one of “The Best of 2013” campaigns. The nonprofit organization raised $155, 537.33 in just one week, which provided ballistic vests for 163 law enforcement dogs in 30 states.  There are an estimated 30,000 police dogs throughout the United States. 

ABOUT VESTED INTEREST IN K9S, INC.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA. Whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1349 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of over $1.2 million dollars.

The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. Who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor. 

New K9 graduates as well as K9's with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are US employed, certified and at least 19 months of age.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations and event listings are via the website: www.vik9s.org

ABOUT K9 EGO:

Ego is 8 years old and has been with the Warner Robins Police Department for five years. He's trained to locate illegal narcotics, track missing/endangered persons, track criminals and conduct patrol operations. "It's important for Ego to have a protective vest so that in a known critical event with great likelihood of confrontation with armed suspects, we are able to protect as best as possible our canine partners." explained Ego's handler and partner Sergeant Wayne Fisher. 

ABOUT K9 OLLIE:

Ollie is 6 1/2 and has been with the Warner Robins Police Department for five years. He's trained in detecting narcotics, tracking and apprehension and responds to commands in Czech. "It's important for Ollie to have a protective vest so that the will be shielded in dangerous environments that are rapidly evolving." explained Ollie's handler and partner Officer James Sauls. 

ABOUT K9 KOJAK:

Kojak is 3 years old and has been with the Warner Robins Police Department for one year. He responds to commands in Dutch and is trained in explosive detection, tracking and patrol. Kodak and his partner Officer Casey Mullins recently came in first place in Explosives Detection at the 2015 South Georgia K9 Seminar.  "It's important of him to have a test due to the many dangers he can face everyday. " Explained Ofc. Mullins. "Kojak is often used to track suspects of violent crimes, many of which are believed to be armed and dangerous. It's also important for him to have a protective vest, because he deserves to come home safe everyday too." 

ABOUT K9 RASTY:

Rasty is 7 years old and has been with the Warner Robins Police Department for five years. He responds to commands in Czech. His handler and partner, Sergeant James Bish was named 2014's Officer of the Year. Rasty is trained to detect illegal narcotics, track missing/endangered persons, track criminals and conduct patrol operations. "It's great that he's getting a protective vest, because we deploy with the SWAT team and he's more likely to face people that want to hurt him. Rasty is an officer just like I am, so it's nice to have that protection for him." explained Sgt. Bish.