The City Council is proposing $9.9 million be added to the NYPD’s budget so that all officers can get the latest top-of-the-line bulletproof vests.
“Right now, close to half of our force goes out every day into harm’s way with less than the best armor available,” Speaker Christine Quinn said. “It is our obligation as government to do everything we can to keep those men and women safe.”
Currently, only about 18,000 cops who joined the NYPD after 2002 have what are called Level 3A vests, a newer design that is not only lighter, but offers better protection in the neck and armpit areas.
The money would buy about 18,000 more vests.
Last November, Officer Dillion Stewart was shot and killed in the line of duty in Flatbush. The bullet just missed his vest and struck him in the heart.
“Had there been a stronger vest, we might have been able to prevent the tragedy that occurred,” Quinn said.
Quinn, who was joined by the leaders of several police unions, said she would add the money to the NYPD’s budget when she announces the council’s version of the fiscal year 2007 budget.
Mayor Bloomberg has already submitted his version of the budget – which doesn’t include extra money for vests – but Quinn said she was confident that the administration would agree to the additional spending.
Yesterday, Bloomberg told reporters he would support whatever decision Police Commissioner Ray Kelly made about purchasing the vests.
“Commissioner Kelly wants the best equipment possible for all officers,” said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.