NCJ Number
192166
Date Published
March 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the provisions of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Acts of 1998 and 2000, including eligibility, how to participate, special program requirements, and overall program success.
Abstract
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Acts are intended to protect the lives of law enforcement officers by helping States and units of local and tribal governments equip their law enforcement officers with armor vests. "Armor vest" means body armor that has been tested and found to comply with applicable National Institute of Justice ballistic and stab standards. The Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Justice Department is responsible for administering the program. An applicant may request funds to help purchase one vest per officer per fiscal year. Beginning in 2002, Federal payments will cover 50 percent of the total vest costs for smaller jurisdictions with populations of fewer than 100,000 residents. For larger jurisdictions, the program provides up to 50 percent of the funding; actual percentages will vary depending on each year's appropriation and statutory funding requirements for smaller jurisdictions. Eligible jurisdictions include general purpose units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The entire application and payment process is conducted over the Internet. Beginning in 2002, jurisdictions with fewer than 100,000 residents will receive the full 50 percent Federal funding for approved applications. Larger jurisdictions will receive up to 50 percent, based on remaining appropriated funds. The online Internet application process is working well, allowing several thousand jurisdictions to receive funding and make vest purchases.