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Greenfield police getting new body armor in wake of officer shootings across U.S.

Posted at 11:57 PM, Jul 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-25 23:57:23-04

GREENFIELD, Ind. -- Greenfield police are getting an upgrade to their equipment amid a recent spate of violence against officers across the country.

The Greenfield Police Department is purchasing new body armor for its officers. The armor not only offers an additional layer of protection, but will stop bullets fired from a rifle like an AR-15 or AK-47.

The Greenfield Board of Works OK'd the purchase of 37 protective vests – one for each officer in the police department. The purchase had been in the works for several weeks, but got the official OK after recent police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

The vests will cost about $17,000 in total. They also have space to accommodate a first aid kit, as well as extra ammunition.