TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrel Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Captain |
TITLE:
title
Approval of the Department of Justice Patrick Leahy Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Grant in the Amount of $6,840
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 is a unique U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement. The police department began receiving funds from this grant in 1999 to off-set the cost of vest issuance and replacement. Bulletproof vests are more familiarly known currently as ballistic vests or body armor.
Each year, the Police Department submits a forecast report to the DOJ grant program, estimating the approximate number of new and replacement vests for the year. The estimate is based on the five-year life cycle of the vests and addition of new officers. This year, the department projected a need to purchase approximately 12 new and replacement vests. The DOJ BVP Grant allotted a reimbursement to the city in the amount of $6,840 for 2023.
The DOJ grant award fluctuates from year to year based on the number of vests the department expects to purchase. Previous awards have ranged anywhere from $700 to $28,000 since the department began participating with this federal program. The department is seeking Council’s approval to accept this annual grant award and would like to clarify whether this is an item needing Council Attention on an annual basis.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
Grant acceptance requires Council approval.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Per department policy, officers are required to wear body armor whenever they can reasonably be expected to take enforcement action. Body armor, when used in conjunction with prescribed officer safety procedures reduces the likelihood of officers being killed or seriously injured.
The department ensures that all new officers are issued form fitting, agency approved body armor. The department’s training unit maintains a replacement schedule for every officer’s assigned vest as each vest expires five years from issuance. Replacement vests are also purchased whenever the body armor becomes worn or damaged to the point its effectiveness or functionality has been compromised.
In 2023, the cost to purchase a new or replacement vest is $2,000 each.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Funding for 2023 was announced on September 29, 2023
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
N/A
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Department of Justice Patrick Leahy Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Grant
Budget/Funding Constraints:
None
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
11/21/2023 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
None
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The Police Department will be responsible for the full cost of the bullet proof vests.
ATTACHMENTS:
None