Title
Motion to Accept a donation of K-9 protective vests valued in excess of $8,500 to the Hampton Police Division from the Atlantic K-9 Vest Fund pursuant to city code section 2-134(a).
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Atlantic K-9 Vest Fund was established in February 2016 after Norfolk Police Department's K-9, Krijger, was killed in the line of duty. Krijger was not wearing a protective vest at the time of the incident but it is believed had he worn such vest his life would have been spared. After Krijger's passing, Randall Caldwell of Atlantic Communications, Inc. approached MPO Tom Hendrickson, the Division's Master K-9 Trainer, to figure out how they could help protect Hampton's K-9 Officers. The number of injuries and deaths of Public Safety K-9's is on the rise. Atlantic Communications decided that they could not let these K-9's go unprotected. Most custom-fit, bullet and stab-proof vests cost well in excess of $1,500 each depending on the size of the K-9; a cost that most departments struggle to afford. As a result, on February 11, 2016, Atlantic K-9 Vest Fund was established and has made it their mission to provide bullet and stab proof vests to Public Safety K-9's across the State of Virginia and the United States.
Discussion:
Atlantic K-9 Vest Fund will be donating K-9 Vests to 5 of the Division's K-9 Officers. In doing so, this will provide a cost savings to the Division and the City for not having to purchase these vests valued in excess of $1,700 each. The city code (2-134(a) requires a motion by city council to accept the gift of the vests.
Impact:
This donation will not only be a tremendous cost savings to the City of Hampton, but will provide the Division's K-9 Officers with updated much needed equipment that will serve to protect them from injury during violent confrontations.