MOBILE, Ala. - The Mobile Police Department takes time every year to makes sure all of its field officers have body armor.
Bulletproof vests, typically expire within five years, making them useless to MPD.
"We didn't do much of anything with them quite frankly, we would destroy them in some fashion and that's just a waste of something that's of use to someone," said Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett.
The vests are still useful because in some instances they'll work, even though the warranty is out.
So, when Police Chief Phillip Garrett heard about a project that gives expired vests to officers with nothing, he decided to get involved.
"This is an opportunity to put them to use, to donate them to someone that needs one but can't afford it," Garrett said.
Chief Garrett also says the plan is to donate many of these expired bullet proof vests for years to come.
"We're got about 50 right now that we can send and we'll do that and then in the future, we'll just put them aside."
The vests will go to officers not just in rural police departments, but all over the world.
Chief Garrett says if these vests save just one life, it will be worth the effort.
"Something is better than nothing and our experience with the vests, even after the expiration date they still work."
The Mobile police force receives grant money to buy new vests on a regular basis.
Courtesy: Fox 10 News
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