JAG Grant Proposal 2017 - Project Abstract

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is a full service local law enforcement agency providing service to approximately 142,000 residents and thousands of annual visitors to Stafford County, Virginia. The Department provides service through 275 dedicated employees, including 196 sworn deputy sheriffs. The Department conducts multiple activities to prevent crimes, engages in community policing efforts and activities, and strives for close, positive relationships with community members and organizations. The Department answers over 70,000 calls for service from the community annually.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office employs a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that is comprised of 16 operators. These operators are deputies and supervisors who are on-call 365 days a year to respond to high risk incidents. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team trains monthly to prepare for any mission that is assigned to them. Some of the incidents that the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responds to are barricaded subjects, high risk warrant services, search warrant services for narcotics and searches for armed and dangerous fugitives. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team also has provided assistance throughout the region on larger scale incidents that require additional SWAT personnel than the agency requesting assistance has. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team has executed 19 missions over the past year.

Due to the high-risk nature of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team’s responsibility, they are required to have additional equipment standards. One of those equipment standards is a higher threat level of a ballistic vest. Currently, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team employs a Level IIIA ballistic vest. Those vests also have Level III rifle plates for additional protection against rifle threats. The vests that are currently in use by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team will be expiring within the year.

The grant funds will be utilized to purchase new SWAT vests and rifle plates for the 16 operators on the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. The vests and rifle plates purchased will be in accordance with the most recent standards as required by the National Institute of Justice. These vests are needed as the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team vests are near expiration. Additionally, the new vests and rifle plates will provide enhanced protection against rifle threats and armor-piercing rounds.

Any remaining funds from the purchase of the SWAT vests will be utilized to purchase ballistic vests for new deputies or personnel whose regular duty vests have expired. Those vests purchased will also be in accordance with the most recent standards as required by the National Institute of Justice.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office does have a “mandatory wear” police in effect for body armor. Attached to this application will be the completed Body Armor Mandatory Wear Policy Certification.