GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – New protective helmets and vests were distributed to Green Bay Police officers on Thursday.
The gear will provide extra protection for officers when responding to high risk calls.
Chief Andrew Smith says this equipment is a game changer.
“We have to send our officers out into harm’s way. We have to send them into those hot calls where they have an active shooter or where they have an armed suspect or somebody shooting randomly and for us to give them this little bit of extra protection, could mean the difference between life and death for our police officers here in Green Bay,” said Smith.
The price tag for the 100 vests and helmets came in at $64,000 but for officers like 29 year veteran, David VanErem, the gear is priceless.
“We go to a lot of calls that we don’t know how it’s going to end and to be able to put something on, that’s going to help me make it home every night, is great…you can’t put a price on that.”
Smith explains a little more about the high tech vests.
“The vests that we supply our officers with now are going to provide ballistic protection for a rifle round and I believe the ballistic tests were 6 rifle rounds in a six inch diameter area without failure of the product.”
The military grade ballistic helmets come with a removable shield.
The purchase of the gear was made possible by a grant from the Green Bay Police Foundation and matching donations from Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and the Packers Corporation, as well as citizen gifts.
Learn more about the Green Bay Police Foundation at www.gbpolicefoundation.com.
