The Crystal Police Department announced this week that their K9 officer “Leo” will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from a national non-profit organization.
The department made the announcement on Facebook on Monday saying that the vest was being donated by a non-profit charitable group called Vested Interest, 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 vest will help ensure that Leo can be safer while serving the citizens of Crystal.
The value of the donation received for the vest is $950, and each vest is valued between $1,700 – $2,300. Leo will take possession of the vest in 8-10 weeks after it’s embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”
The post said K9 Leo’s partner, Officer Caleb Selin, has been with the Crystal Police Department since 2014. Selin and K9 Leo completed their initial K9 certification training in May 2019 in St. Paul.
Shortly after starting with the department, Selin was honored as a rookie with a life-saving award for outstanding work after he took heroic action in saving two people from a burning house before medical oxygen tanks in the home exploded.
In January, K9 Leo was received and recognized as an official police department member by the Crystal City Council after passing his six-month probationary period. Leo lives at home with Selin and his family.
Vested Interest’s website states that since 2009, their organization has donated more than 3,800 ballistic vests to police K9s throughout the country, and that they’ve donated tens of thousands of dollars toward K9 medical insurance premiums and first aid kits. The website says their programs are made possible with funds raised through contributions, grants and fundraising events.
There are approximately 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
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