Berlin Police Dog Receives Body Armor

BERLIN, CT — Berlin Police Department’s canine Titan has received a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Titan’s vest is sponsored by Winter Wyman of Waltham, MA and embroidered with the sentiment. “This gift of protection provided by Winter Wyman."

Titan is an eight-year veteran of the Berlin Police Department and is partnered with Officer Aimee Krzykowski. Titan is a certified as a patrol dog, as well as evidence recovery, tracking, handler protection and narcotics detection. Officer Krzykowski and Titan are responsible for the apprehension of multiple suspects and helping take narcotics off the street. Titan has also been called to assist several surrounding agencies in tracking suspects and narcotics detection, Deputy Chief John Klett said.

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. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged canine officers.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.9 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New canine graduates, as well as dogs with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement canine is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement canines throughout the United States.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

Photo courtesy of Berlin Police Department