Law Enforcement Body Armor Background and Federal Support for Use

Firearms are one of the leading causes of deaths for law enforcement officers feloniously killed in the line of duty. Since FY1999, Congress has provided funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to help them purchase armour vests for their officers. The Matching Grant Program for Law Enforcement Armor Vests (BVP program) provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to purchase armour vests for use by law enforcement officers and court officers. This book provides an overview of the BPV program. It also provides a FAQ section for the BVP program; and a status of DOJ's efforts to address GAO recommendations.