What is the WPB Police Foundation?

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March 11, 2021

Equipment, Technology and Training
Each year the Department discovers needs for equipment, new technology or training seminars which haven’t been budgeted or were rejected due to budget constraints which would be useful to aid the Department’s crime prevention efforts. In such cases, the Department comes to the Foundation to request possible assistance. See their web page here: https://www.wpbpolicefoundation.org/

How many times have you turned on the news to see an elderly person who has “wandered” away from home, or kids went missing? Can you imagine the panic these family felt? The police are called and Moose and his 2 legged partner are on the job finding “lost” people.
I hope residents never have use of Moose, but it’s comforting to know he’s here thanks to the Jimmy Rice Center who generosity donated the blood hound to the WPB Police department in October 2020.  Double click to enlarge picture.

3/8/2021 City Commission meeting
Resolution No. 39-21 accepting donations from the West Palm Beach Police Foundation canine equipment and of safety helmets and underwater flashlights for the Dive Team, totaling an approximate value of $12,000.

Background:The West Palm Beach Police Foundation is forwarding a donation of canine training equipment they received from Crazy Tuff K9 Gear (Peter Swart). The equipment has been approved by the Police Department Canine Trainers and would help to keep expenses of the canine unit closer to earlier years, despite the increased number of dogs and handlers. The retail cost of the training equipment to be donated is approximately $6,500 ($600-$650 in equipment per dog). The Foundation also received a directed donation from Justice for Kids, a division of Kelley Kronenberg, in the amount of $2,500 to assist with the expenses of retrofitting a vehicle for the Jimmy Rice Foundation sponsored bloodhound. The Foundation also became aware of um-met needs of the Dive Team and committed to purchase essential safety gear required for the team. The Foundation purchased underwater flashlight systems to assist with nighttime or dark water searches and has reimbursed a purchase made by the City to provide safety helmets for the newest of the Dive Team vessels. The safety gear has a total value of $2,905.40 ($940 for the helmets and $1,965.40 for the underwater light systems). A revenue account has already been established to accept authorized donations from the Foundation. Fiscal Note:The donations have an approximate value of $12,000.

A private company, Crazy Tough K9 Gear, a “mom & pop” small business located in WPB has donated some smaller equipment like leashes, toys, and harnesses. They are now developing their own brand of K9 ballistic armor and have offered vests for all police dogs. The city has received new 4 legged police officers and they will need the K9 vests to keep them safe. This is “Loki”, he’s a one year old Belgian Malinois, and currently in training for patrol, tracking, and explosive detection. Double click the picture to view this handsome boy. Loki is 1 of 4 new police dogs.

I have learned the K9 medical kits are due for replacement, a new “bite suit” officers use for training is 15-20 years old and they are in need of a new one. K9 dog vests are also needed. As you have read these 4 legged hero’s depend on donations from people and organizations for all their needs.

When these dogs are up for retirement they can be adopted out, but their 2 legged partners never give them up and they retire in the comfort of the home they shared with the officer who trained and loved them.

If you want to help please send donations to

WPB Police Foundation
P.O. Box 851
West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

I leave you with a poem: The Life Of A Police Dog
Author – Unknown

You brought me home One sunny day With you for years I would surely stay.

I met your pack Children and wife I began to love My new-found life.

I slept on your couch At the foot of your bed You looked at me lovingly While petting my head.

We trained for months And our bonding grew We were both partners Buddies in Blue.

We did school demo’s And I never did wrong Over all of the years My love for you grew strong.

How I loved to work To stand up and bark In the back of our car From light until dark.

We went call to call Having fun all the way Until the call came On that one fateful day.

A man with a gun The dispatcher did say I jumped from my car When it pointed your way.

Before leaving home I was told “keep him safe” by your wife I knew at that moment For you I would give my life.

The bullet struck hard Steady and true The bullet struck me instead Of striking you.

When you go home tonight Tell your wife I did good Strong, Tall and Proud On the ground that I stood.

I’m dead and gone now This much is true But I’ve done my job well Of protecting you.

Thank you Loyal partner, Faithful friend, You will be greatly missed.