Mills Police Department’s K9 Archer To Get Body Armor
The Mills Police department is excited to introduce K9 Archer. K9 Archer is a 3 ½ year old German Shepherd. He is assigned to Officer Kate Acord and together, they are certified in Patrol Functions and Narcotics through the American Police Canine Association (APCA) and the National Association of Police Canine Handlers (NAPCH). He is Officer Acord’s first K9 partner and his skills include narcotics detection for five illegal substances as well as tracking, building/area/article searches, obedience, handler protection, and criminal apprehension.
K9 Archer was purchased from Von der Haus Gill German Shepherds in Wapakoneta, Ohio. K9 Archer became a member of the Mills Police Department (Mills, WY) in September 2016 and was officially sworn in on November 1, 2016. Along with the acquisition of the new dog, the Mills Police Department has outfitted a patrol car with safety features which include a heat alarm, window fan, and automatic door popping system.
K9 Archer likes playing ball, training, guarding the patrol car, and being the center of attention. K9 Archer is a high energy dog who loves to work. He is an easy going guy and has made fast friends with his coworkers at the Mills Police Department.
Mills Police Department’s K9 Archer will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Archer’s vest is sponsored by Bob and Donna Tiefenbach of Macomb, MI and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gift of protection provided by Reggie and Bam Bam”. 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.
