MPD Donates Used Vests to Departments in Need

When Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett heard of the Armor of God Project, he was instantly intrigued. The initiative provides expired bullet-proof vests to officers currently working without vests. The first donation came in 2008 when, on a mission trip to the Philippines, Lt. Clint Reck of the Muscle Shoals, Alabama Police Department became aware of the need for body armor for the Philippine National Police. The Muscle Shoals Department along with Parkview Baptist Church then donated 24 outdated vests to the Philippine officers. The day after receiving his donated vest, one officer was shot point-blank in the chest by a 9mm round which struck the trauma plate and saved his life.

The Mobile Police Department plans to soon donate 50 vests to the cause and will continue to make donations as vests expire. “I cannot think of a better way to give back and potentially save lives than through the Armor of God Project,” says Garrett. The Project gives vests to departments world-wide as well as small ones within the United States.

The Mobile Police Department, like most departments nationwide, issues new vests to its officers every five years when the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Although, after the expiration date, the vests are not guaranteed to deflect all bullets, the recipients of the used vests are grateful to have some protection rather than none at all.

For more information about the Armor of God Project, visit www.tenfourministries.org/vest.html.