The Riverside Police Department is proud to announce that the department has been awarded grant funding for the purchase of bulletproof vests. The funding came from the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Washington, D.C. The grant will pay up to 50% of the purchase of a new bulletproof vest.
Riverside Deputy Chief Bill Gutschick stated, “The funding award will assist the department in the purchase of a safety vest for every officer”.
All Riverside Police Officers are equipped with bullet resistant vests which are worn during the officer’s daily tour of duty. Because of the heat, humidity and exposure to the elements, the useful life expectancy of bullet resistant vests is approximately five years. Grant funds are available for agencies that complete an extensive application process which includes proper documentation and stringent review of vests purchased and deployed through this program.