One of Grantsville City Police Department’s officers will get a personalized piece of protective equipment via a nonprofit organization.
The department’s K-9, Kaos, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest, a 501(c)3 charity located in Massachusetts. The new vest weighs about 4 pounds and is valued between $1,795 and $2,234, according to Vested Interest.
Body armor for K-9s can be expensive because each set needs to be fit to the dog wearing it. The department’s previous K-9 officer, Zoro, was larger than Kaos so the vest could not be transferred, according to Grantsville City Police Officer Alison Peterson.
Kaos, a Belgian malinois, joined the department in 2014 after Zoro retired and works with Grantsville City Police Sgt. Michael Jones. He serves in a dual role as a narcotics detection and patrol dog.
“Grantsville City Police Department is grateful for this award as Kaos is a valued member of the department and the community,” said Peterson in a release. “Sgt. Jones and his family are also grateful for this award as Kaos is like a family member to them.”
Since joining the department, Kaos has been in harm’s way numerous times, Peterson said. Kaos also assists Jones with school visits, scout demonstrations, safety fairs and other community events.
Kaos’ new protective vest will include embroidery which reads, “In memory of K-9 Nicky, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, NV,” according to Vested Interest. In April, K-9 officer Nicky was killed by friendly fire during an altercation with a double-murder suspect, according to a media briefing from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
Vested Interest was founded in 2009 to help provide protective vests and other assistance to K-9 units of law enforcement agencies around the country. Since its founding, the agency has provided 1,900 protective vests to K-9 units in 49 states, according to the nonprofit.
