Several Central Missouri law enforcement agencies have received grants designed to help protect officers.
The Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds come from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Missouri Department of Public Safety awards the money.
This year, 106 Missouri law enforcement agencies received more than $700,000 in grants to purchase equipment including over 140 ballistic vests, more than 300 first aid and trauma kits, more than 60 police radios, over 170 light bars and 40 sirens.
Grant awards are limited to a maximum of $9,999.99. Grant recipients must purchase their approved equipment by June 30.
Local agencies getting money include:
Lincoln University Police Department, $5,024 to help pay for 46 reflective vests and 20 medical kits.
Missouri Capitol Police, $8,400 to help pay for four light bars.
Camden County Sheriff's Department, $9,998.25 to help pay for two radios/repeaters.
Lake Ozark Police Department, $9,700 to help pay for six light bars.
Miller County Sheriff's Department, $9,995.64 to help pay for 16 reflective vests, 40 medical kits, eight vehicle partitions, 15 light bars and six flashlights.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources State Park Rangers, $7,451.54 to help pay for 46 medical kits.
Morgan County Sheriff's Department, $9,975 to help pay for three radios/repeaters.
Stover Police Department, $9,907 to help pay for two radios/repeaters.
Versailles Police Department, $4,935 to help pay for seven medical kits, four sirens and two light bars.
Lincoln University Police Chief Gary Hill said the equipment will be put in officers' patrol cars.
While it might not sound like a big deal, Hill said, his department usually doesn't have the money to spend on these types of items.
"Getting over $5,000 for equipment is huge for us," Hill said. "That's probably more than half of what our regular equipment budget would be.
"We have 13 sworn officers on staff, along with four security guards that work in the dorms, so to be able to provide this equipment that can be around for several years is great," Hill continued. "Some of these items should have been purchased years ago but, due to tightening budgets, were not."