CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to equip Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers with steel-plated vests and helmets.
The vote included 680 Level-3 vests that can handle the impact of a round coming from a rifle.
Officers currently wear vests that can protect them only from handgun bullets.
The vests will be stored in every patrol car so they are in arm's reach of every officer.
“We haven't found that protests have been the issue here in Charlotte,” City Council at-large member Julie Eiselt said before the meeting. “Although it may be in other parts of the country, it just has to do with equipment they need when they go into dangerous situations."
The contract also pays for 1,315 Level-3A helmets.
The new gear will cost the city $600,000.
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