Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Reserve officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department will be a little safer at less cost to themselves, thanks to a federal grant.
The KCSD was notified Wednesday of receipt of the $4,214 grant, which will allow for the purchase of 27 bulletproof vests.
The grant was awarded as part of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998. It is one of a number of initiatives at the U.S. Department of Justice that help communities hire more police officers and provide police departments with funding for additional expenses such as equipment or overtime, according to a press release from the office of U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer.
Roemer notified area police departments earlier this year of the availability of the grants. The Elkhart County Sheriff's Department and Goshen Police Department also received grant money.
Deputy Tim Sammons of the KCSD said he prepared the grant application and the vests will be distributed to the county's reserve officers.
"Reserve officers are at as much risk as a full-time officer," Sammons said, "and we are taking every effort to protect them while they serve."
Sammons said reserve officers are volunteers and are not compensated for their service. Officers usually pay for their equipment and supplies as an out-of-pocket expense.
