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 funding 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 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 agencies must possess a "Mandatory Wear" policy that requires all uniformed officers to wear body armor.

Each BVP grant award encompasses 2 fiscal years.  For example, the FY 16-17 BVP issued an award of $9,600 in October 2016 and that grant does not expire until August 31, 2018.  Estimated costs for the purchase of 18 ballistic vests for FY17-18 is $14,400.  This cost includes body armor that is due for replacement and new police officers hired by the Sparks Police Department.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program  FY 17-18 grant awarded $5,750.18 that expires August 31, 2019.  This award in conjunction with the overlap of  funds from the FY 16-17 award will cover 50% of the aforementioned costs needed to replace the 18 ballistic vests for FY 17-18.

The Council can elect to reject the Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant award in the amount of $5750.18 and direct the City Manager to seek funding elsewhere.

I move to approve and accept the $5750.18 matching grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest Partnership for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.