The City Council is proposing that $9.9 million be added to the NYPD’s budget so that all officers can get the latest top-of-the-line bulletproof vests.
“Close to half of our force goes out every day into harm’s way with less than the best armor available,” Council 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.
Quinn said she would add the money to the NYPD’s budget in the council’s version of the fiscal year 2007 spending plan.
She added that she was confident the administration would agree to the additional spending.