The North Royalton Police Department recently received notification that they will secure about $11,000 in grant funding for the purchase of body armor and plates for the officers. The grant was secured from the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program.
In 2018, then-Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the plan to create a new program to help Ohio’s local law enforcement agencies purchase body armor vests. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) agreed to support funding the effort through an expansion of its safety grant program. The BWC offers its Safety Intervention Grant Program for the purchase of equipment in an effort to reduce/eliminate injuries and illnesses. A portion of that Safety Intervention Grant Program funding is being used to fund the new Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program. The program enables local law enforcement agencies to receive funding up to $40,000 to purchase body armor vests with a local match of 25 percent.
“I am pleased to be able to offer the new Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program in partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to help local law enforcement agencies with the costs associated with life-saving body armor vests,” said DeWine. He added that the program will “ help our first responders get the latest body armor, helping to protect them while they do the important work of keeping their communities safe.”
Vests to be purchased must meet the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards, and agencies must demonstrate that they have a mandatory wear policy in place for uniformed officers on duty. The program was originally set to expire in 2019, but was continued. More than $7 million has already been awarded to over 600 local law enforcement agencies in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Participation in the program is limited to eligible law enforcement organizations with, or belonging to, an active Ohio State Insurance Fund policy with the BWC. Those receiving the grant are required to provide the BWC with a report one year after the purchase, to be submitted to the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Grant Case Study.
The North Royalton Police Department is looking at about thirteen bulletproof vests, which would be eligible under this program. In addition, about five plate carriers, which offer added protection against rifles, will be ordered under this program. According to North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase, this is the first time North Royalton has applied for the state funding. In the past, the NRPD applied to the federal program called Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership. The PD received reimbursement since 2018, with a fifty percent reimbursement, up to $1,000. Up until now, a bulletproof vest cost about $1,000.
Tarase said that in addition, he has applied for federal funding, but has not heard back at this time. He said that the bulletproof vests need to be replaced every five years.
“Simply, we are always aggressive in going after any type of opportunity for grant money,” said Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. “Obviously we’re pleased that we qualified and are able to provide another way to keep our police officers safe.”
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer