The Suffolk Police Department recently received notification that it will be awarded a ballistic vest for its K-9 officer, Kilo, thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc., and an anonymous donor who provided $950 for the vest.

“These K-9 dogs become members of the officer’s family and the department’s family,” Police Chief Thomas Bennett stated in a press release. “It is important to give them the added protection of a vest. While it won’t be worn all the time, it will be worn in high risk situations.”

The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K-9s Inc.”

Vested Interest in K-9s Inc. is a charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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 nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four-legged officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K-9s Inc. has provided more than 1,200 law enforcement dogs in 40 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of $1.1 million.

Each vest costs $950 and has a five-year warranty.

The organization orders the American-made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, Mass., who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor. Vests are manufactured by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

New K-9 graduates as well as K-9s with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are employed in the United States, certified and at least 19 months of age.

Tax deductible donations to the organization are accepted via mail to Vested Interest in K9s Inc., P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718, or via the website, www.vik9s.org.