MACOMB COUNTY

Roseville K-9s get vests from late officer’s daughters

Holly Fournier, and Nicquel Terry

Two Roseville police dogs received bullet- and stab-proof vests in honor of a former officer whose daughters sponsored the donations.

Chase and Corporal, Belgian malinoises who joined the force in 2013 and 2015, were outfitted with the vests, thanks to Sharon Peters of Grosse Pointe Shores and Patricia Settimo of Williamsburg, Virginia, according to the Roseville Police Department.

The sisters partnered with Vested Interest in K9s, based in East Taunton, Massachusetts. The national nonprofit supplies vests for police dogs through donations.

It was announced in May that the dogs would receive the vests.

Both vests are embroidered with a tribute to the women’s father: “In Memory of Det. Lt. Richard J. Scott.”

Scott died in 2010, according to the department. He spent 35 years with the Roseville police force.

Chase, a 5-year-old malinois, works in narcotic detection and tracking, and is handled by Officer Brian Dobrzycki, officials said. Corporal is 3 years old and is trained in bomb detection and tracking, working alongside Officer Thomas Wietecha.

Peters has donated vests to seven police dogs in Michigan since 2014.

The 5-pound vests typically are valued at about $2,300, but Peters said she pays $1,050 through Vested Interest in K9s.

This marks Settimo’s first canine vest donation in Michigan, she said.

Police Chief James Berlin in May said assaults on police officers and police dogs throughout the country have reached a record high. And while Roseville dogs have not been seriously injured, people have tried to harm them, he said. The city was unable to afford vests, he said.

HFournier@detroitnews.com

(313) 223-4616

@HollyPFournier