Narko is looking a little more dapper these days.
And he is certainly a lot safer when on the job.
The Vernon Police Department's Canine Unit recently received a ballistic body armor vest for the patrol dog, courtesy of Massachusetts-based Vested Interest in K-9 Inc.
Vested Interest in K-9 is a non-profit fund-raising organization dedicated to providing bullet- and stab-resistant protection for law enforcement dogs nationwide, according to Vernon police.
Earlier this year, Vested Interest met with Narko and his partner, Officer Christopher Hunt, to take measurements. The vest covers most of Narko's major organs and is made of the same material that human officers wear.
Vernon police said that patrol dogs often face a greater risk than human officers because they are often sent into a situation first.
Narko will be wearing the vest on all high-risk calls, police said.
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