Camden County K9 Unit Expands And Gets Some Extra Protection
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Some changes are coming to the K9 unit at the Camden County Police Department.
The five animals are being fitted with bulletproof vests, courtesy of American Humane Society.
"It's our hope that one day, every canine unit in not just New Jersey based but across the country, will have vests for their K9 officers," Society spokesman Scott Crawford told KYW Newsradio. "We're a humane society. Our jobs is to protect animals. These officers are out there protecting your people in the field."
It's costing the group about 4 grand to do this, and they use donations to pay for the program. The force also welcomed its newest four-legged patroller, and his handler, two-year police veteran Gabrielle Camacho.
"My energetic, hard-working, very friendly partner Peyton and I are extremely excited in our role in reducing the number of crime victims and making people feel safe," she said.
Camacho becomes the first female to volunteer to be part of the unit. They'll be assigned to narcotics trafficking.
