The Ohio Law Enforcement Bulletproof Vest Program, administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, continues to offer financial support to local law enforcement agencies in fiscal year 2025. This initiative aims to enhance officer safety through the purchase of body armor vests. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $7 million to more than 600 law enforcement agencies across all 88 counties in Ohio, reinforcing the state’s commitment to public safety and workforce protection.
Funding for this program is provided by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as part of its Safety Intervention Grant Program. Eligible law enforcement agencies are required to contribute a local match of 25 percent to receive grant funding. Agencies can receive up to $40,000 in grant support to cover the cost of bulletproof vests. It is important to note that only equipment purchased after the official grant award notification is eligible for reimbursement under this program.
The application process requires submission of a grant application and a Request for Payment Form, both of which are accessible via the program's official page. Agencies must ensure that all purchases align with the grant terms to qualify for reimbursement. The program emphasizes strict adherence to procedural requirements and eligibility criteria to ensure compliance and proper allocation of funds.
This grant program is not currently listed as recurring or rolling, and specific opening or closing dates for FY25 were not explicitly provided in the source document. However, all purchases must be made after receipt of an award to qualify for funding, indicating a pre-approval process is essential.
For additional assistance, applicants can contact the OHLEG Support Unit at 1-866-406-4534 or via email at OHLegSupport@OhioAGO.gov. Additional quality assurance support is available through the OHLEG Quality Assurance Unit at OHLEGQualityAssurance@OhioAGO.gov. The administering office is located at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, 1560 State Rt. 56 SW, P.O. Box 365, London, OH 43140.
Overall, this grant provides a substantial opportunity for Ohio law enforcement agencies to improve officer safety through the acquisition of certified body armor, with a well-defined support infrastructure and funding mechanism in place.
