The Wallis Police Department has acquired a $49,000 grant to strengthen officer safety by investing in advanced bullet-resistant shields. The grant, obtained through the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program, enabled the department to purchase eight shields that meet or exceed the rigorous National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Level III, III+, or IV standards.
The Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program, initiated by the Texas Governor’s Office, aims to equip law enforcement agencies with state-of-the-art protective gear. These shields provide an extra layer of defense for officers operating in high-risk situations.
Thanks to the successful grant application, the Wallis Police Department was able to allocate $49,000 towards acquiring eight advanced bullet-resistant shields. These shields are specifically designed to withstand potentially lethal projectiles, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the officers.
The purchased shields serve as crucial defensive tools, allowing officers to respond swiftly and securely during critical incidents without compromising their mobility or agility. The acquisition of these shields significantly strengthens the department’s existing resources and their commitment to officer protection.
The Wallis Police Department joins numerous other law enforcement agencies across the state that have benefited from the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program. The program underscores the Texas Governor’s Office’s dedication to supporting local law enforcement and prioritizing officer safety.
The total grant allotment for the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program was $50 million. To qualify for the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program, law enforcement agencies had to meet certain criteria set by the Texas Governor’s Office. Here are the requirements for eligibility:
- Eligible Organizations: The grant was open to independent school districts, institutions of higher education, units of local government, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other educational institutions operating law enforcement agencies employing peace officers under Article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
- Application Submission: Local law enforcement agencies were required to submit their grant applications through the affiliated unit of government. This submission had to be accompanied by an authorizing resolution from the unit of government, ensuring that the application was supported by the relevant governing body.
- Compliance with Standards: Agencies had to comply with the Texas Grant Management Standards (TxGMS), Federal Uniform Grant Guidance, and all applicable statutes, requirements, and guidelines associated with the grant funding.
- Adoption of Active Shooter Policy: All eligible organizations were mandated to have an Active Shooter Policy in place. This policy should include protocols for assessing active threats or violent encounters, immediate response measures to stop the killing and provide rapid casualty evacuation, and various other incident management considerations.
- ALERRT Training: Agencies had to ensure that officers receiving grant-funded ballistic shields had either completed 16 hours of ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) within the last 24 months or committed to attending the training within the next 24 months. This training helps prepare officers to effectively respond to critical incidents.
- Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible, agencies were required to comply with several specific requirements, including cybersecurity training, reporting complete criminal history database dispositions, accurate reporting of crime data, compliance with federal and state immigration enforcement requirements, and participation in the statewide electronic tracking system for sexual assault evidence.
- System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Agencies had to be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) database and have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number assigned to their agency.
Meeting these qualification criteria was necessary for law enforcement agencies to be considered eligible for the grant funding.
The successful acquisition of the eight bullet-resistant shields demonstrates the Wallis Police Department’s commitment to officer safety and their dedication to providing the highest level of service.
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