The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP) has announced that 17 local police departments in twelve jurisdictions will receive grants totaling $49,077 to purchase protective body armor. The grants are from the Body Armor for Local Law Enforcement (BARM) program, a state funding source that provides grants to agencies across Maryland.
“Our law enforcement officers are on the front lines every day, working to keep our communities safe,” said Christopher B. Shank, Executive Director of GOCCP. “Body armor is an essential component of every officer’s equipment.”
According to the FBI, body armor can be a life-saver for police officers. The Bureau’s statistics show that the “risk of sustaining a fatal injury for officers who do not routinely wear body armor is 14 times greater than for officers who do.”
Agencies can apply for BARM grants every other year. The funds from this grant program may be used by local police to acquire new armor, or to replace existing equipment.
