Tallassee Police Department to receive body armor for K9 Blek | News | tallasseetribune.com

Submitted / TPI

Blek, a German Short-haired Pointer canine officer with the Tallassee Police Department is getting a bullet proof vest thanks to a grant. Blek has been successful in the department’s efforts to get illegal drugs off the streets.

The Tallassee Police Department’s only K9 officer is getting body armor.

The bullet and stab protective vest for Blek is thanks to the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s and Robert Willens LLC of New York. Tallassee police chief Todd Buce is thankful for the donation to protect Blek.

“We didn’t have the funds in the budget to get him one,” Buce said. “Our officers found a grant where they will give us one for our K9.”

Blek’s handler Hunter Sink and dispatch supervisor Heather Jones got everything together for the grant, saving city funds.

“It provides much needed protection for Blek,” Buce said.

Blek is often called on especially on traffic stops where officers believe there might be narcotics in the vehicle. Blek is brought to the suspect vehicle to do a quick walk around. He alerts when he detects illegal narcotics.

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“He has been highly successful at it,” Buce said. “He has taken a large amount of illegal drugs off the streets.”

The Tallassee Police Department has submitted measurements of Blek to Vested Interest in K9s who administers the grant program.

Vested Interest in K9s was established in 2009 to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies in the U.S. The potentially lifesaving body armor for K9s will be custom fitted for Blek. Each vest costs approximately $1,800.

Vested Interest in K9s accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount. A single donation of $985 sponsors one vest and each vest has a value of $1,800 and comes with a five year warranty.

For more information about the program visit www.vik9s.org. The website provides more information about the organization, lists events and accepts donations to help protect other K9 officers.

Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. He may be reached via email at [email protected].

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