Three patrol canines at the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received new bulletproof vests on Tuesday during a presentation at the Sheriff’s Office. The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Association of Southwest Florida provided the vests to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at no cost to the agency, thanks to a grant from the Charlotte Community Foundation.

The canine vest program started in 2009 with K9 Jedi at the Punta Gorda Police Department. In total, 63 police canines in Southwest Florida have now been vested by the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida – completely through community donations.
Ray Hubbert, President of the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida, spoke at the presentation and thanked the donors who help them make the vesting program possible. “We believe the development and safety of Police Canines is essential to the Law Enforcement Profession,” stated President Hubbert.

K9’s Sparta, Anubis, and Scar, will now be safer while patrolling the streets. “Law enforcement canines don’t just detect drugs and apprehend criminals; they save lives,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “We are grateful for the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida and their donors for helping us to protect our canines as they serve our community.”
Information on donating to their K9 Vest Program is available at www.retiredlefla.com/k9-charity.

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