Florida Sheriffs Association Grants $1.16 Million to Help Sheriffs’ Offices

March 17, 2020

Florida sheriffs can get the resources they need to best serve their community through three new Florida Sheriffs Association grants. The Board of Directors approved more than $1.1 million in funding last August to directly support sheriffs. These grants are designed to assist small and medium sized offices with equipment and training that is necessary to ensure Florida’s communities are protected.

The FSA Bulletproof Vest Grant Program will help sheriffs’ offices acquire more lifesaving bulletproof vests. This grant will provide 329 vests to deputies, correction’s officers, SWAT team, and K-9s. Offices have also purchased 30 ballistic panels and 12 outer carriers with this funding. This program is designed to assist fiscally constrained counties.

The FSA Shared Asset Program provides funds for regional sharing of assets such as boats, dive equipment, drones, and other surveillance equipment. The sharing of resources enhances sheriffs’ abilities to respond to the needs of their communities and their neighbors. Shared assets make sheriffs stronger – whether through coordinated Florida Sheriffs Task Force efforts or responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.

The FSA Training Scholarship Program grants scholarships to offices with limited financial resources to attend FSA training events and conferences. The stipend reimburses a person’s total travel expenses to make sure funding does not prohibit a deputy or other key sheriffs’ office personnel from attending training. 

Eighteen sheriffs’ offices received $283,864 in Bulletproof Vest Grant Awards.

  • Calhoun
  • Columbia
  • Franklin
  • Gilchrist
  • Gulf
  • Hardee
  • Hendry
  • Highlands
  • Holmes
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Levy
  • Madison
  • Okeechobee
  • Putnam
  • Suwannee
  • Wakulla
  • Washington

Shared Asset Program Grant provided $715,568 to 12 sheriffs’ offices.

  • Alachua
  • Baker
  • Calhoun
  • Clay
  • Gulf
  • Hendry
  • Holmes
  • Jefferson
  • Liberty
  • Putnam
  • Wakulla
  • Washington

“These grants will greatly support smaller sheriffs’ offices, giving them new equipment so they can serve their counties,” said FSA President and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. “The new Florida Sheriffs Association grants is one way we can protect our communities and serve our residents.”

The Training Scholarship Grant Program awards are continuously being approved to sheriffs’ offices.

These grants are made possible due to the outstanding support of FSA members. FSA is a membership driven and mission-focused organization. FSA members join to show their tangible support to Florida’s sheriffs, deputies, correctional officers, and other personnel who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Other member benefits are available at www.flsheriffs.org/membership/

 

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