The city of Atlanta and the Georgia Power Foundation are partnering to fund the purchase of new tactical body armor, including 1,856 bulletproof vests and helmets, for all Atlanta Police Department officers at a cost of $1.8 million.
With the funding, APD will be able to provide helmets and vests to its beat officers for the first time in its history.
The purchase will be made from the city’s allocation of more than $900,000 and the Georgia Power Foundation’s matching donation of $900,000 to the Atlanta Police Foundation. Atlanta Fire Rescue Department officers and those with the Department of Corrections will also receive helmets and vests.
In the wake of police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge over the summer, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed called on business and civic leaders to contribute to the purchase of the protective gear.
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