The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program is an initiative designed to provide critical resources to state, local and tribal jurisdictions for the purpose of purchasing body armor for sworn law enforcement officers.  The BVP Program is administered by the Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assitance (BJA).  Current legislation places priority on finding jurisdictions with less than 100,000 residents.

The purpose of the BVP Program is to reimburse states, counties, federally recognized tribes, cities, and local jurisdictions  that employ law enforcement officers for up to 50% of the total cost of body armor vests purchased for the officers.  In order to be reimbursed under the BVP program, all purchased body armor must comply with the most current National Institute of Justice (NIJ) ballistic or stab body armor standards.  To be elligible to apply for BVP funding, participating agenices must possess a "Mandatory Wear" policy that requires all uniformed officers to wear body armor.

Estimated costs for the purchase of 24 ballistic vests for FY16-17 is $19,200.  This cost includes body armor that is due for replacement and newly employes police officers hired by the Sparks Police Department.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program  FY 16-17 grant award will cover 50% of the aforementioned costs, $9,600.

The Council can elect to reject the Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant award in the amount of $9,600. and seek funding elsewhere.

I move to approve and accept the $9,600 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest Partnership for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.