07-26-19 FPD K9 Receives Protective Vest

The Fairbanks Police Department is pleased to announce that our very own police K9, Diesel, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Diesel’s vest is sponsored by Aurora Vet Clinic in Fairbanks and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Aurora Vet Clinic.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

In 1967, the Fairbanks Police Department became the first civilian law enforcement agency in Alaska to have a K9 Unit, with a donation of a former sentry K9 from Eielson AFB. Fast forward five decades to present day and three year old Diesel, who is a Dutch Shepard and a dual-purpose K9. Diesel and his human partner, Detective Rob Hall, have been the face of FPD’s K9 program for the last two years.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts. Their 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 K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 3,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9’s throughout the United States. This program is open to dogs actively employed in the United States, with law enforcement or related agencies, who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9’s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, comes with a five-year warranty, and has an average weight of 4-5 pounds. 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. If you would like more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, contact Vested Interest in K9s at (508)824-6978.

The Fairbanks Police Department thanks the Aurora Vet Clinic and Vested Interest in K9’s for their support and interest in keeping our boy Diesel safe.