Alpharetta K-9 Unit Ballistic Vest Project

Our club has a focus this year on serving "Pets, Vets, & First Responders." So...we donated a custom made Ballistic vest for K9 Mattis of the Alpharetta PD. Below is in excerpt from Lt Trent B. Lindgren describing the significance of the canine officers and their unique skills. We are proud as Rotarians to aid in the protection of these special officers and the men and women they protect and serve.

The primary purpose of the K-9 Unit is to use the unique abilities of the police working dog to support the mission of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. The primary way the unit supports this mission is by responding to crimes in progress. Crimes in progress range from fraud or theft to burglary and aggravated assault. The dogs are used to locate illegal narcotics, hidden or fleeing suspects and evidence that is dropped or discarded. Often these crimes involve the use of firearms or at least the presence of firearms. While we would not knowingly send an animal in to be killed by an armed suspect, it is very likely that the individuals the dogs encounter are armed. In these situations, we would deploy the dog with a ballistic vest to provide them with adequate protection while we address the threat.

There are a handful of companies that make ballistic vests for working dogs. We have ordered from 3 different sources in the past and have been the most pleased with K9 Storm. K9 Storm makes a custom fit Patrol-SWAT vest that weighs just 3.5 lbs., provides stab and firearm resistance and can be worn on any type of deployment without interfering with the dog’s freedom of movement. The weight is important because other vests weigh closer to 10 lbs. The added bulk will cause the dogs to overheat much sooner than the lighter vest. The quality of the nylon, the use of cobra buckles and the ability to wear the vest for extended periods without hurting the dog are all reasons that we prefer K9 Storm. The K9 Storm vest provides the best mix of breathability, maneuverability and protection available.

Lt. Trent B. Lindgren

K-9 Supervisor/B Squad