New tech helps keep East Bay police dogs safe

DUBLIN, Calif. (KGO) -- Police officers have a dangerous job, and so do the highly trained dogs that help them solve crimes. Here's a look at new technology that's working to keep police canines safe in the East Bay.

Every day, the K-9 handlers at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office practice rare but dangerous scenarios.

The pretend suspect wears what's called a bite suit. And the dog? Well, she has her own protective gear.

"A ballistic vest, they're custom fitted to each dog," said Alex Jose with the Police & Working K-9 Foundation.

At $1,200 each, the Cover Your K-9 program raises money for them with a dog wash every July at Pet Food Express. They can stop a bullet or a knife. But that's just the beginning.

"They also have an LED strobe light so the dog could be seen via infrared," said Jose.

The light can be bright green, or it can be invisible, except to infrared cameras. And the vest has a place to mount one of those right on the dog's back.

"That way during a search the command post can visually see live time what the dog is seeing," Jose said.

Those vests are important for the dogs because when police are chasing after a real bad guy, he probably won't be wearing a protective suit. So he'll have reason to be scared.

"Bad guys have weapons," Jose said. "And a lot of bad guys are afraid of dogs."

But after the crook is in handcuffs, the dogs need a different sort of protection from nature.

"With these breeds of dogs they have long hair and they're very prone and susceptible to heat injuries," said Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Eric Chaloner.

A cloud-connected sensor watches the temperature in the car. If it gets too hot, or the air conditioner fails, the windows automatically roll down and the app alerts the officer.

"It protects our partner," Chaloner said.

A partner who might just have the best technology of all, one that can find the murder weapon, or even a grain of methamphetamine.

Here is more information on the July 18-19 fundraiser event at all Pet Food Express stores.