Approximately $4,000 Grant Split Between Police Departments

Yesterday the River Edge and Oradell police departments learned they would each be receiving approximately $2,200 to purchase or replace body armor vests for their officers. The funding is on behalf of the Division of Criminal Justice which is distributing nearly $3.6 million to over 500 New Jersey law enforcement agencies.

According to Director Taylor, a total of $3,586,827 is being provided to state, county and local law enforcement and corrections agencies from the state’s Body Armor Replacement Fund, which was established by legislation in 1998 and is funded through a $1 surcharge on traffic tickets and forfeitures of bail. 

“Last year, upon taking office, this administration restored millions of dollars in dedicated funding for police body armor which the prior administration had diverted as a stopgap for unrelated state budget expenses,” said Attorney General Dow. “Under my watch, funding from the Body Armor Replacement Fund, which totals nearly $3.6 million this year, will be used to stop only one thing: the bullets that threaten our devoted officers in New Jersey.”

Oradell was awarded $2,204.15 while River Edge will get $2,289.36.  

“In these tough economic times, police are hard-pressed to find money for new equipment,” said Director Taylor. “This $3.6 million in funding will help to ensure that one of their most crucial pieces of equipment – lifesaving body armor – will not be outdated and worn out when our officers hit the streets to protect New Jersey residents.”

The cost of body armor varies, but the minimum grant amount is $500.  The state has a multi-vendor contract with distributors that enables law enforcement agencies to purchase the make and model of vest that best meets their needs.

"The economy has forced many of our police departments to cut back. The job of a police officer is dangerous to begin with; it should not be made more perilous with lacking or outdated equipment," said Assemblywoman Connie Wagner. "Body armor vests could make the difference between life and death. These grants will help ensure our officers are equipped with the proper gear to keep them safe."

As a condition of the state grant, agencies must purchase vests from a list of vests certified by the National Institute of Justice, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. There are hundreds of approved vests on the list.  The New Jersey State Police, for example, is currently purchasing a vest, together with certain accessories, at a state contract price of $759.80 per vest package.

Since the inception of the Body Armor Replacement Fund Program in 1998, the Division of Criminal Justice - Grants & Program Development Section has provided nearly $50 million to the New Jersey statewide law enforcement community to purchase thousands of new vests. 

For more information on the Body Armor Replacement Fund Program log on to the Division of Criminal Justice ebsite.