Bulletproof Vest Program

Bulletproof Vest Program is sponsored by Florida Sheriffs Association. This program protects deputies by providing funding for the purchase of bulletproof vests when new deputies arrive and for replenishing vests when they expire.

Grants | Florida Sheriffs Association Deputy Executive Director of Administration Director of Government Affairs Florida sheriffs can get the resources they need to best serve their community through these Florida Sheriffs Association grants. The FSA’s Board of Directors established three unique grant opportunities to support sheriffs by providing direct funding to the sheriff’s office.

To provide effective and timely support, training, and information exchange for Florida’s sheriffs To foster effective law enforcement, crime prevention and apprehension of criminals and protection of life and property of the citizens of Florida. Three programs were established and then funded starting in 2019. Since then, more than $5.

5 million of FSA funds have been provided to sheriffs’ offices. This would not have been possible without our members and donors supporting these programs. To give back through FSA’s grant programs, please click below.

These grants are designed to assist small and medium-sized offices with the equipment and training necessary to ensure Florida’s communities are protected. Saving lives is the essential element of public safety. This program protects those who protect us by purchasing bulletproof vests when new deputies arrive and replenishing vests when the expiration date mandates replacement.

During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, FSA disbursed $150,000 to financially constrained counties through our Bulletproof Vest Grant Program. In total, FSA helped provide 186 vests and 70 panels for deputies and K-9s. Over the life of this grant program, FSA has contributed more than $1,477,000 directly to sheriffs’ offices to purchase 1,614 bulletproof vests.

Since 2023, our FSA Members have contributed more than $984,700 to assist our efforts. We thank you! Training Scholarship Program The purpose of this program is to give staff from fiscally constrained sheriffs’ offices opportunities to attend FSA conferences and training events.

FSA strives to provide free training to sheriffs, deputies and other personnel. However, some training events have a registration fee, and many offices even have difficulty in funding per diem, mileage and hotel costs. The scholarships will reimburse agencies so their staff can attend FSA training events at no cost.

This allows more personnel to receive leadership training and network with the industry’s leading technology providers. To date, $321,175 has been awarded to sheriffs’ offices for this program. The sharing of resources enhances sheriffs’ ability to respond to both the needs of their communities and those of their neighboring sheriffs when in need.

The program provides funds for assets that can be shared regionally, such as boats, utility terrain vehicles, drones, and speed trailers. During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, FSA awarded 11 sheriffs’ offices nearly $500,000 to purchase resources to share in protecting and serving the State of Florida.

Shared assets make sheriffs stronger – whether through coordinated Florida Sheriffs Task Force efforts or responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.