Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that she had awarded a grant totaling $20,365 to provide new bulletproof vests for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
According to the governor’s office, Ivey awarded the funds due to increased dangers posed to law enforcement. A release noted that the grant was proof that Alabama’s chief executive was prioritizing matters concerning law and order.
In a statement announcing the grant award, Ivey conveyed her administration’s appreciation to Alabama’s law enforcement community for their service to the state.
“I cannot say thank you enough to our state troopers and all law enforcement officers in Alabama who put their lives on the line when they put on that badge,” said the governor. “It is my prayer that no officers are injured or worse because of someone’s senseless and selfish actions. These vests will provide an added layer of protection when our officers enter potentially dangerous situations.”
The funds, which will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), were made available by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The grants enable law enforcement agencies to purchase or replace personal protection equipment for their officers.
ADECA director Kenneth Boswell, in reiterating Ivey’s sentiments, expressed his department’s support for ensuring law enforcement had access to enhanced protective equipment.
“All of us feel tremendously saddened when an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty,” proclaimed Boswell. “ADECA supports Governor Ivey in providing this grant that helps protect those who are enforcing our laws and working to keep our communities and neighborhoods safe.”
Praising Ivey and ADECA for the grant was ALEA secretary Hal Taylor, who advised that the bulletproof vests would serve to provide agents with an additional layer of protection.
“Protective vests safeguard our troopers and special agents and provide them with the protection they need when answering the call to protect and serve our great state,” stated Taylor. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Ivey as well as ADECA for their continued support of law enforcement and their unwavering efforts to ensure our Agency has the funds needed to provide an enhanced layer of safety for all our sworn employees.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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