A bill that would require county sheriff’s deputies to be issued a bulletproof vest is moving forward at the State Capitol.
House Bill 2717 was passed Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee.
Bill sponsor Roane County Del. Bob Ashley says it just makes sense to have this bill.
“We are just trying to do safety and save our deputies as they put their lives on the line for us,” said Ashley.
Currently, it is not state law that Sheriffs Departments need to purchase bullet proof vests for every deputy, although several do in the state.
This bill, would require that all deputy sheriffs be issued ballistic vests upon law-enforcement certification.
Vice President of West Virginia Deputy Sheriff’s Deputies Association David Gentry said having a vest on is very important and he knows first hand that bullet proof vests save lives.
“As being a deputy sheriff for twenty some years and being shot twice in the line of duty, taking a .44 magnum in the hand and a .44 magnum in the hip, I had a vest on and I paid for the vest at that time,” said Gentry.
The average cost of a bullet-proof vest is about $1,200 and normally it would be the deputy that would pay for it. But in the bill, Sheriff’s Departments would purchase them through the use of several different funds.
Delegate Ashley says the bill calls for the money to come from an existing equipment fund that sheriff’s departments have.
“That fund is looked at and if that fund is not available and does not have enough money, then they look at the county commission’s funds,” said Ashley.
If the commission doesn’t have enough money for the purchases, then the departments can apply to the Deputy Sheriff’s Association for funding through grants.
Gentry said no deputy should go without one of these vests.
“A very much needed part of equipment on a daily basis,” said Gentry.
The bill next heads to the House Finance Committee.
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Comments
Supporter
While this bill seems like basic common sense in large part, if it will help protect our deputies I am all for it. The public should step up and appreciate our law enforcement like we do our military. How many tens of billions have we spent on our service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan?
March 14, 2013 at 10:44 pm | Report comment
WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE
While I agree with the passing of this bill, there is no comparison to the gear required by our military deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Very poor comparison. But again, our deputies deserve the vests and paid for by the taxpayers.
March 15, 2013 at 12:50 am | Report comment
hillbilleee
with today s technology, all law enforcement should be required to wear a hat camera, record every incident they encounter, maybe it will cut down in the corruption
March 15, 2013 at 3:33 am | Report comment
WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE
I agree with 100% with your camera comment!
March 15, 2013 at 9:41 am | Report comment
Wapjr
And will also allow for recorded evidence to be used in prosecuting false reports on the Law Enforcement officers. I am all for it.
March 15, 2013 at 2:36 pm | Report comment
Wapjr
There are many benefits to having LEO's fitted with recording devices. I would love to see it for every agency.
It will keep many officers inline as well as document the encounters. When a complaint of wrong doing is filed, it can be easily investigated and whoever the guilty party happens to be will be prosecuted or reprimanded. There are many more false complaints of wrong doing filed than occurs in this line of work. I can guarantee that.
March 15, 2013 at 2:47 pm | Report comment
Junus Grumby
I have no problem with taxpayer money being used to provide the vests to law enforcement personnel. As far as the camer idea, most officers I know like having them in their cruisers. It's saved them from many false accusations and documented proper precedures during times in question. A hat camera? Well, maybe just a little over the top. But, not by much.
March 15, 2013 at 4:08 pm | Report comment
Shadow
Having the police wear a camera seems to be a good idea. However, any videos or pictures from the other side should be allowed in Court also. From what I have seen on TV, some of the individual officers don't want their actions recorded or their faces taken.
March 17, 2013 at 9:06 am | Report comment
j
Talk about getting off point.......... oh well
The headline of the article would seem to be misleading though. There is no mention of the requirement for wearing the vest........(although I would not understand why they would not want to).....
The purpose of the bill is to provide them only. Sad part is, it only pertains to deputy's and not other law enforcement officers.
March 17, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Report comment