The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday that it is outfitting its K‑9 units with a new line of protective gear designed to offer greater comfort while delivering superior coverage.
The new armor, supplied by AARDVARK Tactical, promises lighter weight and a more flexible fit than the current bullet‑proof vests that have been criticized for restricting movement and failing to protect dogs in high‑risk situations.
Critics of the existing vests point to a recent incident in Burbank where a K‑9 was shot during a confrontation with a gunman. The dog was wearing a bullet‑proof vest, but the armor did not provide enough protection to save its life.
According to the department, the new gear will allow K‑9s to move more freely, helping them perform their duties more effectively. John Becker, CEO of AARDVARK Tactical, said, “The problem with previous armor systems is that they are heavy. They get in the way. They inhibit the dog’s ability to move, which actually increases the likelihood that the dog’s going to get injured.”
Becker also highlighted the removable nature of the vest. “The new gear is removable, which allows K‑9s to take it off if they’re doing a large search or having to move in a large area. It can be put back on when entering a more dangerous situation,” he explained.
Deputy Stephen Williams, a K‑9 handler, praised the flexibility of the new system. “Our dogs, they love the work they do. They will do anything they can to protect us and to project the public,” Williams said. “Knowing that they’re as safe as possible when they’re doing that mission to try and protect us is a great feeling.”
Williams noted that his K‑9 partner has not been affected by the new vest and continues to perform his job as well as before, but with better protection.
The department has been testing the new gear for six months, making it one of only ten law‑enforcement agencies in the nation to trial the system. The company has conducted a variety of tests with selected K‑9 units, including agility drills, bite work, search operations, and swimming pool trials, as Becker stated, “(We’ve been) doing agility testing, doing bite work, doing search work, throwing them in swimming pools.”
Key Takeaways
- The new K‑9 armor is lighter and more flexible than previous vests.
- It is removable, allowing handlers to adapt protection levels during operations.
- Six months of testing across ten agencies show the gear does not impede canine performance.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s move to upgrade its canine protective equipment underscores a commitment to both officer and animal safety while ensuring that K‑9 units remain agile and effective in the field.
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