The purpose of this program is to equip peace officers with rifle-resistant body armor.
Funds may be used for obtaining body armor compliant with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard (Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor NIJ Standard-0101.06) type III (rifles) or type IV (armor piercing rifle) body armor; including bullet-resistant vests, ballistic plates, and plate carriers.
None is available.
Grant funds may only be used to equip peace officers (as defined by Article 2.12, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure) directly employed by a law enforcement agency operated by the applicant. Funds may not be used to equip officers employed by other agencies that are not eligible to apply. PSO may prioritize the equipping of certain types of officers or applicants if the total requested funds exceed the funds appropriated by the Legislature.
Due to the limited availability of funds, applicants are encouraged to consider the reasonable cost of their request. PSO will evaluate applications based on number of frontline peace officers and the average cost per vest.
Eligible applicants include the Texas Department of Public Safety, units of local government and educational institutions that operate law enforcement agencies employing peace officers. This includes municipalities, counties, independent school districts, universities, federally recognized Native American tribes, community colleges, and hospital districts.
Applications are to be submitted by February 12, 2026. A similar deadline is anticipated annually.
The Texas Public Safety Office(PSO) expects to make available $3,000,000 for FY2027. Project period will extend from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Cost sharing/matching is not required.