Notices & News Releases

Waite Park Police Department’s K9 Parker has received body armor

July 11, 2017 - Waite Park Police Department’s K9 Parker has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Parker’s vest is sponsored by Deb Spencer of Eveleth, MN and embroidered with the sentiment “Be Safe!”.

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 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.9 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 is 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.

Police K9 Parker, a black Czech Shepherd wearing his donated bulletproof vest

WAITE PARK POLICE TO RECOGNIZE GOOD DECISION MAKING


December 28, 2016 - The Waite Park Police Department

 

is teaming up with Toward Zero Death Stearns and Benton to recognize people who make good decisions on New Year's Eve. Vehicles which are left at bars overnight on may be tagged with a thank you card on the windshield. 
Thank you for being a responsible driver!

Waite Park Police Department’s K9 Parker to get body armor


December 12, 2016 - Waite Park Police Department’s K9 Parker will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Parker’s vest is sponsored by Deb Spencer of Eveleth, MN and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Be Safe!”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

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 2,200 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.9 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 is 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. 
Dog 1
K9 Officer JoAnna Bigler is very excited for K9 Parker to receive his vest. Police K9s are partners at work, but at home they are just dogs who enjoy walks, playing fetch and belly rubs. The Police Department does its best to protect and care for them just like every other officer on the force. Training a K9 takes a lot of time, dedication and money. We are fortunate to have companies like Vested Interest for K9s, along with many caring donors who make the vest donations possible. 

For more information about the Waite Park Police K9 program, click here.