Title
Donation of Canine Ballistic Vests (Ordinance S-47533)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to accept a donation of canine ballistic vests from K9s of Valor and Blue Line K9 Project, for the Police Department's Canine Unit. The estimated value of the canine ballistic vests is $63,000.
Report
Summary
In December 2020, Phoenix Police canine Dennis was injured by gunfire in the line of duty. Subsequent to this incident, two nonprofit organizations contacted the Police Department requesting to donate canine ballistic vests. The organization K9s of Valor has offered to donate 16 ballistic vests and Blue Line K9 Project has offered to donate one ballistic vest. The 17 vests are the same brand and meet Level II body armor performance standards established by the National Institute of Justice.
The Phoenix Police Department canines do not currently have ballistic vests, which poses obvious safety concerns. If approved, the donated ballistic vests would provide the department's canines with a layer of protection they currently do not have. Injuries from bullets or bullet fragments would be reduced and veterinary costs borne by the City for injuries caused by gunfire would be minimized.
Both K9s of Valor and Blue Line K9 Project are nonprofit organizations based in the state of Ohio that support police canines by providing protective gear and other essential equipment intended to keep them safe.
Financial Impact
There is no cost to the City to accept this donation. Each ballistic vest is valued at approximately $3,699.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Jeff Barton and the Police Department.