Rocky Hill Police Dogs to Get Protective Vests

ROCKY HILL, CT — The Rocky Hill Police Department’s two dogs ― Baron and Maverick — are getting body armor, the department announced Tuesday.

The vests, designed to withstand both gunshots and stabs from a knife, are being sent to the department via local donations to the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

Both vests are sponsored by the Animal Hospital of Rocky Hill and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Be Safe K9s - the Animal Hospital of Rocky Hill.”

Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks, police said.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a East Taunton, MA-based organization whose mission is to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

Since its inception, the organization has delivered more than 1,900 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of about $1.7 million, police said.

All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement dogs 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.

Baron is handled by Officer Brian Kelley. K-9 Baron is a black-and-tan German shepherd who came from Slovakia in March 2013. Officer Kelley and Baron are certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association and the CT Police Work Dog Association in narcotic detection as well as patrol duties, which consist of tracking, building searches, area searches, evidence recovery, and criminal apprehension.

Maverick is handled by Officer Keith Baker. Maverick is a black-and-tan German shepherd originally from Hungary and came to Rocky Hill in August 2015 from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, PA.

Officer Baker and Maverick started their training together September 2015 and concluded their training January 2016. Officer Baker and K-9 Maverick are certified by the NAPWDA and the CPWDA in narcotic detection as well as patrol duties, which consist of tracking, building searches, area searches, evidence recovery, and criminal apprehension.

Photo Credit: RHPD