Middletown Police Canine Gets Bullet, Stab-Proof Vest

Officer William Maio’s canine partner Judge will receive a bullet- and stab-proof protective vest after a nationwide Groupon campaign raised more than $155,000 in eight days, according to Middletown Police. 

Vested Interest in K9s, based in Taunton, Mass., sponsored the grassroots effort to outfit police K-9s with protective vests. Police departments had to submit an application to receive one of the vests purchased with the donations.    

This is the Middletown Police Department’s newest K-9 team. Judge will be receiving the vest soon.  

Vested Interest in K9s president Sandy Marcal began working with police in 2000 to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, vest sponsorships, fundraising events and the media within Massachusetts. In 2011, efforts were expanded to assist police dogs throughout the United States.