Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded more than $176,000 in grants to help four state and local law enforcement agencies purchase equipment intended to improve officer safety and enhance investigations, according to an announcement released Monday.

“Our state’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds providing these officers with essential equipment updates to help them while they are protecting and serving.”

The grants will support agencies in Montgomery, St. Clair, Clay and DeKalb counties.

The largest award, $69,816, went to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The funding will provide personal protective and surveillance equipment for ALEA officers assigned to the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, which was created to address violent crime in Montgomery County.

The Pell City Police Department received $61,307 to purchase technology that will allow investigators to unlock suspect and witness cell phones on-site during criminal investigations rather than relying on outside laboratories.

The Clay County Commission was awarded $25,000 for the Clay County Sheriff’s Department to replace the touch-screen system used to monitor and operate doors at the county jail.

The Town of Sylvania received $20,000 to replace its police department’s outdated radio system.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants using funding provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Gov. Ivey has shown consistent support for providing law enforcement professionals with the tools they need to perform their duties effectively,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with the governor to provide these funds to these agencies.”

ADECA oversees a variety of state and federal programs supporting law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.