Texas funding advanced police training, bullet-proof shields for some officers
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants to advance law enforcement training and better safety equipment for active shooter situations.
The Governor’s Public Safety Office is now accepting applications from a wide array of law enforcement agencies for both bullet-proof shields and travel assistance for advanced training in active attack events.
In June, the Governor and other lawmakers transferred $105.5 million to support additional school safety and mental health initiatives, including $3 million for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) and the new shields.
“The State of Texas is working to ensure our law enforcement partners across the state are able to protect our children, teachers, and schools as the new school year begins,” said Governor Abbott. “These new funds will give law enforcement officers expanded access to training for active shooter scenarios, as well as critical protective equipment. I encourage all eligible law enforcement agencies and local government entities to apply for this additional funding as we work together to keep all Texans safe.”
ALERRT is advanced training for officers by veteran first responders with proven experience in active attack response. More than 200,000 first responders across the nation have already taken the course. More than 3,000 officers in Texas have been trained and the plan is to schedule more than 100 additional classes in the months ahead.
Applications for ALERRT travel assistance are open to independent school districts, institutions of higher education, units of local government, and other educational institutions that have law enforcement agencies employing peace officers and the deadline to apply is August 31, 2023.
Applications for grant funding for the bullet-proof shields can be submitted by the same government agencies and also the Texas Department of Public Safety. The final date to submit and certify an application for priority consideration is September 16, 2022.
You can get more information on applying for both programs by clicking here.