For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Chelmsford Police Awarded Grant for New K-9 Cruiser Kennel

CHELMSFORD – Chief James M. Spinney is pleased to announce that the Chelmsford Police Department has received a grant for $3,894 in order to outfit the department’s K-9 cruiser with new transportation and safety measures to best protect the health and well-being of K-9 Flaco.

The grant, awarded by Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, will be used to purchase a new cruiser kennel and over-heat detector. The cruiser kennel will replace the entire backseat of the cruiser operated by Officer Dave Leo — K-9 Flaco’s handler — while the over-heat detector monitors the interior temperature of the car.

Should the temperature in the vehicle rise above 87 degrees, the system will automatically drop windows on either side of the kennel, turn on the window fan to circulate outside air, implement a unique horn pattern and alert Officer Leo via a pager on his duty belt.

The detector also includes a remote control door popper, which allows Officer Leo to deploy K-9 Flaco from outside the cruiser.

In addition to the Chelmsford Police Department, Officer Leo and K-9 Flaco also serve on the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and two county sheriff’s departments.

“K-9 Flaco, as a member of our department, has unique needs different that those of his human handler,” Chief Spinney said. “We are proud to outfit Officer Leo’s cruiser in a way that best serves Flaco, because that, in turn, best serves the needs of our department, our community and the NEMLEC team.”

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