New Vests Will Offer More Protection For Yalobusha Deputies
New Vests Will Offer More Protection For Yalobusha Deputies
By David Howell
Editor
COFFEEVILLE – Supervisors authorized the purchase of a dozen ballistic plate vests at an approximate cost of $4,000 to outfit the county’s deputies. Sheriff Lance Humphreys made the pitch during a recessed meeting Monday morning at the Coffeeville courthouse, explaining that the vests will offer more protection for his law enforcement officers.
The vests will be worn outside of the uniform when deputies deem they need the extra protection while responding to a potentially dangerous call. Humphreys said. The vests weigh around 15 pounds each and contain ceramic plates rated to stop a round from a rifle caliber as large as a 30-06. Humphreys said the current bullet proof vests deputies wear will stop a round from most handguns, but do not offer protection from a larger rifle similar to the weapons used in recent attacks on law enforcement officers across the county. He also explained the new vests will be worn over the soft armor vests and can be put on in a matter of seconds.
“We are not the only department, there are many departments across the state ordering vests like these,” the sheriff explained.
Prior to the unanimous vote, supervisors briefly discussed the expense because Humphreys did not have the money in his budget to cover the purchase.
“He may be slightly over (budget) already, that is the only concern I have,” Board President Cayce Washington said before all five supervisors agreed to shift money from the county’s general fund for the expense following a recommendation by District 2 Supervisor Ken Rogers.
“We are talking about men’s lives, they go out in the middle of the night and deal with dangerous situations,” Washington said. “I am in favor of going ahead of doing the transfer and we will look at how to pay it back in the next fiscal year,” Washington said.
“I would also like to note that I have a donor that has agreed to purchase one vest for the department. There may be other people interested in helping,” Humphreys said, adding anyone who wants to help can contact his department.
