(PLATTSBURGH- October 1st, 2024) - The City of Plattsburgh is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This award will provide crucial financial support for the purchase of National Institute of Justice (NIJ) compliant bulletproof vests for the city’s law enforcement officers.
The BVP program is designed to assist local jurisdictions in equipping their law enforcement officers with lifesaving body armor. The awarded funds may be used for vests that meet NIJ standards and were ordered after April 1, 2024. The City of Plattsburgh has until August 31, 2026, to request reimbursement for the vests, which must be custom-fitted and manufactured in the United States.
“We have always utilized the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program, to provide valuable protection to our officers and we will continue to utilize the grant opportunity in future years,” says Plattsburgh City Police Department Lieutenant, Joshua M. Pond.
Key Details of the Award:
- The federal government will cover up to 50% of the cost of the vests, though jurisdictions can apply for hardship waivers to cover up to 100% of the cost.
- Body armor purchased under this program must meet the latest NIJ body armor standards and be uniquely fitted to each officer.
- The City of Plattsburgh has a written mandatory wear policy in place, as required by the program.
Jurisdictions receiving funding must also ensure they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and that their banking information is up to date in order to receive reimbursements. Additional support is available through the BVP Helpdesk and the Bureau of Justice Assistance website.
The BVP program is part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s larger efforts to promote officer safety and resilience, which also includes the Officer Robert Wilson III Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative. This initiative offers no-cost officer safety, wellness, and resilience training and resources for law enforcement nationwide.
“Here’s another example of the work our City of Plattsburgh Police Department does to keep their members safe as well as ensure grant funding and fiscal responsibility remains a critical component of how they do business,” says City of Plattsburgh Mayor Christopher Rosenquest.
About the BVP Program
The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) was established by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998. Since 1999, the BVP program has reimbursed more than 13,000 jurisdictions, providing law enforcement officers with over 1.4 million vests. The program ensures that officers are equipped with necessary body armor that meets the most current safety standards.
For more information on the BVP program, please visit their website at
https://www.ojp.gov/program/bulletproof-vest-partnership or contact the City of Plattsburgh’s Police Department at 518-563-3411.
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