The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce the opening of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program application period. Through the BVP Program, states, units of local government, and tribal governments are reimbursed up to 50 percent of the cost of each unit of eligible body armor purchased for law enforcement officers.
The BVP application period will be open from May 16July 7, 2011. Only applications submitted through the electronic BVP System will be eligible for consideration.
In order to receive BVP funds, jurisdictions must certify, during the application process, that all law enforcement agencies benefitting from the BVP Program have a written "mandatory wear" policy in effect. This policy must be in place for at least all uniformed officers before any FY 2011 funding can be used by the agency. There are no requirements regarding the nature of the policy, other than it being a mandatory wear policy for all uniformed officers while on duty. BJA strongly encourages agencies to consult the International Association of Chiefs of Police's Model Policy on Body Armor and to consider all of the recommendations listed in the policy. To obtain a copy of the Model Policy, contact the BVP Customer Support Center at 1-877-758-3787 or e-mail vests@usdoj.gov.
