La Grange Police Department Shows Off New Shields, Vests

La Grange Police Department received a grant from the Texas Governor’s Office to purchase new ballistic shields and vests for each officer in the department.

Police Chief David Gilbreath and Officer David Mohr showed off the new equipment at the La Grange City Council meeting Monday night, March 27. The shields and vests are supposed to be able to withstand shots from high-powered rifles.

“All of our officers have been issued rifle-resistant vests,” said Mohr, who applied for the grant on behalf of the department. “If we have an active shooter incident, all of the officers also have a rifle resistent sheild in each one of their cars.”

Mohr said the vests can withstand power rounds such as those fired from a .308 caliber rifle or an AK-47 style firearm. He said the shields are even stronger.

“This is really going to help with officer safety,” Mohr said.

“The amount of money we saved the City is a little over $72,000 just for these two items,” Mohr added.

Mohr said he also submitted a grant to the Capitol Area Council of Governments for rifle-resistent helmets and new tasers for all of the officers along with new evidence packets. Mohr anticipated that CAPCOG would approve the grant, which totals another $72,000. Mohr said he’s also working on an ammunition grant for the department.