For centuries, dogs have worked alongside humans in many capacities, providing more than just companionship. This holds true in the policing profession as well.

It is estimated that there are about 50,000 active police dogs in the United States alone.¹ For decades, K9 officers have proven their worth during apprehension, detection, and search and rescue work.² Now, agencies also train dogs for community engagement and officer wellness purposes.

Unfortunately, too many K9s are lost in the line of duty. In the United States, there were 25 K9 line-of-duty deaths recorded in 2023.³ “In socially and politically tumultuous times, the risk level for law enforcement officers, including four-legged ones, goes way up,” said Derek Beck, founder of K9 Helm Corp.⁴ It is important that agencies look after the safety of these impressive animals, just as they would their human counterparts.

Protective Gear

From helmets to body armor to boots, the safety equipment for a handler is very similar to what’s needed for the K9. K9 Helm’s CS-1 GoggleHelm is a perfect example.

Derived from Beck’s patent—Cranial Protection System for a Terrestrial Animal—the CS-1 is an evolution of the original Trident TR-1 Tactical Helmet. The Trident design was a prototype formally tested by the U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command and U.S. Army Special Forces. Noticing the interest from policing professionals, Beck decided to place the Trident helmet into the market in 2019.

The lightweight CS-1 was introduced in 2023, with the design of the Trident acting as a chassis. The addition of the wraparound goggles inspired its name, “GoggleHelm.”

The lens is made out of UV400 shatterproof polycarbonate and has an anti-scratch coating. K9s have full bite capacity and ear articulation while wearing the tactical helmet. A low-profile, removable picatinny rail and aluminum side mounting plates allow other attachments, such as ear covers and muzzles, to be used as needed. Its Biothane retention collar keeps the helmet secure without restricting the dog’s breathing.

Tailored for an average-sized Belgian Malinois, slight adjustments to the CS-1 can be made for a more custom fit. Side pads of varying sizes and adhesive-backed spacer pads can be added to the snout and goggle area if more snugness is needed. The Biothane collar accommodates neck sizes ranging from 14.5 inches to 18.5 inches.

Training Gear

K9 protection doesn’t start and stop when the unit is in the field. Often, it continues into training. Horton’s Quality K9 Equipment has provided training equipment since 1972. After working as a tailor in the navy, Robert Horton helped form the Greater Atlanta Schutzhund Club (under USCA) with other pivotal dog trainers. In its infancy, the club was without proper training equipment. Robert took the initiative to create high-quality equipment for his fellow trainers. From his small workshop in Georgia, he turned his sewing hobby into a family-owned business.

Continuing his father’s legacy, Paul Horton Sr. has ensured the equipment provided has met and exceeded clients’ needs and expectations. Due to his work on manufacturing Belgian arm sleeves, Horton Sr. was contacted by a large K9 training facility. There were several officers who needed the flexibility of not having to wear a full bite suit but still wished to remain safe from the K9 in training. Whether it be for hot weather conditions or scenario work that’s introducing only the arm, a sleeve could be more effective in keeping the training going for longer.

“[The Police K9 Sleeve] came from the police officers’ necessity of needing a longer sleeve and something that’s not forearm-only,” Horton Sr. said.⁵ The Belgian sleeves’ original design was for a sport type of presentation, which needed only the forearm to be covered. With the inclusion of bicep coverage in the Police K9 Sleeve, trainers have increased mobility of the arm. It is an ambidextrous sleeve that fits most people up to about 21 inches on the bicep.

Although bite gear may be for the protection of humans, Horton’s has designed their products with K9 safety in mind. Rather than using a nylon material, the Police K9 Sleeve is made of a polyester/cotton mix. This material is safer for dogs since it is easier for them to penetrate without wearing down their teeth. It is designed for the K9 to feel an arm within the sleeve without applying too much pressure, allowing the training to continue without injury to the trainer or dog. “[The trainers] have told me their dogs come back alive when they start with this sleeve,” said Horton Sr. “[The dogs] actually get happy to work and want to work because of the sensation of feeling something.”

Once K9s are trained using the Police K9 Sleeve, some agencies have begun to use them as a backup sleeve should something unexpected happen in the field and the K9 needs to be caught.

Over 50 years later, Horton’s remains the oldest family-owned and operated manufacturer dedicated to K9 equipment in the United States, as Paul Horton Sr. imparts the knowledge he gained from his father to his own son.

Field Safety

Protective gear doesn’t always come in the form of apparel. Of the 25 line-of-duty deaths in 2023, 4 K9s passed from heatstroke.⁶ This deadly condition can be prevented with the use of CoolK9. Ron Baldal, president of CoolCop LLC, is a retired police sergeant who has firsthand experience with the needs of police officers and police K9 units.

Upon using CoolCop’s existing product—Body Armor Air Conditioning—K9 handlers requested a version that would direct air conditioning to a kennel rather than body armor. The air is redirected through a six-foot hose and A/C vent cup that fits most police vehicles. It can be easily disconnected by sliding the dash cup spring clip to the side.

“CoolK9 helps mitigate the effects of heat and humidity on our canine partners and keeps them safer and at peak performance,” said Baldal.⁷ Proven to be more effective than a window fan or cooling mat, CoolK9 has shown to keep an enclosure at least 10 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature.

Conclusion

Whether in tactical situations or community engagements, K9 units are a major asset to police agencies. They quickly win the hearts of the public and become integrated into the policing family. These dogs are dedicated to their work, and agencies must have the necessary tools to protect these four-legged officers.d

Notes:

¹Project Paws Alive, “The History of K9s in Law Enforcement.”

²American Kennel Club, “What Do K-9 Police Dogs Do?”

³The Officer Down Memorial Page, “Honoring K9s Killed in 2023.”

⁴Derek Beck (founder, K9 Helm Corp), email interview, February 28, 2024.

⁵Paul Horton Sr. (owner, Horton’s Handcrafted Quality K9), phone interview, March 5, 2024.

⁶The Officer Down Memorial Page, “Honoring K9s Killed in 2023.”

⁷Ron Baldal (president, CoolCop LLC), email interview, February 16, 2024.

Please cite as

“Protection for Four-Legged Protectors,” Product Feature, Police Chief 91, no. 4 (April 2024): 97–99.