March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 46 F

3 Annapolis PD K-9s receive kevlar vests

Ciro
K9 CIRO is a 3 year old German Shepherd, who is certified in Patrol Services and Narcotics Detection. He is assigned to Corporal Kevin Freeman, who has been with the Annapolis Police Department since April of 2000. Corporal Freeman has been a K9 Handler since 2013. K9 CIRO became a member of the Annapolis Police Department in March of 2013. Corporal Freeman and K9 CIRO conducted their formal Police K9 Training at the Anne Arundel County Police K9 Center, where they received more than 640 hours of training. K9 CIRO enjoys working HARD on-duty and RELAXING while off-duty.

Annapolis Police Department K9’s Ciro, Peko, & Atos have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ciro, Peko, & Atos’s vests were sponsored by David Marberger of Bay Ridge Wines and Spirits of Annapolis,MD and are embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9’s, 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. 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. provided over 1,700 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.6 million dollars. 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 K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. 

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 K9s 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.

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