Piggott PD Benefits from Grant

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, a check was presented to the Piggott Police Department in the amount of $569.63. The funds were earmarked to pay the city's part of a 50/50 U.S. Department of Justice grant to purchase bullet proof vests for two officers.

The money was presented to the local police department by Chief Gary Kelley of the Marion P.D., the Northeast Regional Vice President of the Arkansas Association of Police Chiefs (AACP). Accepting for the local department was Piggott Police Chief Bill Alstadt.

For a number of years the AACP has participated in the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) with the U.S. Department of Justice. The unique initiative pays half the cost of vests for cities that meet population guidelines, providing a critical resource to local law enforcement agencies.

According to Alstadt, the funds have already been utilized to purchase vests for the two newest members of the Piggott P.D. -- Sam Poole and Sam Yates.

The Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police is a non-profit organization of police chiefs and executives from all over the state who recognize the importance of having proven, effective leaders in law enforcement. The organization continually works toward enhancing the knowledge and skills of police executives so they can effectively meet the growing demand of providing the best law enforcement available today.