The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance is now accepting applications from state and local law enforcement agencies for the FFY2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program. Please note, the application process requires interested applicants to submit the following information: total number of full and part-time officers, the agency's replacement cycle, the total amount of previously awarded BVP funds, and confirmation of a department's mandatory wear policy.

Please follow the appropriate link below to complete and submit a FFY11 BVP application.

  • For Local Law Enforcement: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi. The deadline for applications is June 7, 2011.
  • For State Law Enforcement Agencies: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi. EOPSS is requesting all State applicants to submit their applications by July 1, 2011 to enable EOPSS to finalize the Commonwealth's application by July 7, 2011.

For additional information about the BVP program, please reference the links below:

Important Information - New BVP Program Requirements for FFY2011 Federal Applications

NEW! UPDATED Mandatory Wear FAQs

In order to receive BVP funds, jurisdictions must certify, during the application process, that all law enforcement agencies benefiting from the federal BVP Program have a written "mandatory wear" policy in effect. This policy must be in place for at least all uniformed officers before any FFY2011 funding can be used by the agency. There are no requirements regarding the nature of the policy other than it being a mandatory wear policy for all uniformed officers while on duty. BJA strongly encourages agencies to consult the International Association of Chiefs of Police's Model Policy on Body Armor and to strongly consider all recommendations within that policy. This policy change was announced in October 2010 by Attorney General Holder after consulting with and receiving input from the law enforcement community. For more information go to: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi/docs/FAQsBVPMandatoryWearPolicy.pdf

For a copy/template of a mandatory wear policy or if you have any questions, please contact Kevin Stanton at: kevin.stanton@state.ma.us