The Wareham Police Department received equipment worth more than $4,000 through a grant from the nonprofit Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog in a February 16th ceremony at the Holliston, MA police department.

The department was the second highest award recipient at the ceremony. Lieutenant Kevin Walsh along with officers Michael Phinney and Joseph Cardoza and their K-9 partners Rolf and Cago accepted the grant award.

Wareham Police received a Kimono Bite Suit, a protective suit that officers can wear while training their K-9 partners, as well as two "Hot-n-Pop units, which are heat sensor alarm devices for the rear of K-9 cruisers that warn the officer ("handler") when the cruiser is too hot for the K-9 partner. The units include an automatic door opening device for the handler which significantly increases officer safety and allows for convenience during calls, according to a police statement.

Vest-a-Dog has provided more than 300 bulletproof police dog vests across Massachusetts since 2000 after noting the fragility of police K-9 budgets and the lack of funding for training and K-9 equipment. The organization was part of the Barnstable Police Association from 2000-2008 according to its website, www.mavestadog.org.

Wareham Police Chief Richard Stanley and Walsh extended their sincere appreciation to the Vest-A-Dog program, its donors, and sponsors, according to the press release.