Police seek grant for rifle-resistant vests
Police chief cites growing level of violence toward police around the country.
The Pflugerville Police Department is applying for $24,800 in state grant money to equip the police force with rifle-resistant armor vests.
Police Chief Jessica Robledo told City Council members the grant will provide 77 vests that will be kept in vehicles while officers are on patrols. The Police Department needs the additional vests as it only has 18, she said.
“What we’re seeing around the nation is a lot of violence towards law enforcement, and the Level 4 vests will allow us the ability to equip our officers who are alert-trained right now (but) don’t have the equipment they need,” she said.
In July, the governor’s Criminal Justice Division began accepting grant applications from law enforcement agencies to provide funding for purchasing body armor. State Sen. Royce West and state Rep. Phil King authored the legislation that sets aside $25 million for the program.
The effort is a reaction to the Dallas police shootings in July 2016 during which a heavily armed sniper shot and killed five officers during a demonstration against fatal police shootings.
Police staff told the council that the vests, which cost $420 each, have fiveyear lifespans. The Level 4 vests are able to stop armor-piercing rounds, according to policemag.com.
Robledo noted numerous mediumand large-size buildings within the city are susceptible to shooting incidents. The vests can be used for patrol, responding to calls for assistance, tactical response or executing warrants, she said.
“If (officers) don’t have equipment available to them, I’m pretty much setting them up for not being successful in coming home,” she said.
Funding for armor vests comes as limits on military-style equipment for police enacted under the Obama administration are ending. President Donald Trump unveiled a plan last month allowing police departments to obtain surplus military equipment often used during public demonstrations or riots. Among that equipment are armored vehicles, large-caliber weapons and ammunition.
Robledo applauded the plan, calling it a benefit for all law enforcement agencies.
“The life of any individual is worth it,” she said.