Tuesday, March 19, 2024

City Council Approves Ballistic Shields For All SROs

On August 17, 2022, the State of Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office – Criminal Justice Division, announced that it was accepting immediate applications for the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program, FY2023.

The Texas Rifle Shield Grant provides up to 50 million dollars in funding to eligible agencies specifically to purchase rifle-rated ballistic shields to respond to an active attacker scenario at schools.  The Southlake Police Department completed the applications and was awarded a grant for $156,000.

After receiving the grant, on February 7, 2023, the Southlake City Council approved the purchase of 26 bullet-resistant shields for all Southlake school resource officers.

“I am proud of the work our staff has put into procuring this grant,” Chief James Brandon said.  “The purchase of these shields is one more tool that our SROs and patrol officers have to increase safety.”

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