LEXINGTON, Ky. (JAN. 22, 2026) – Alongside law enforcement and elected officials, Attorney General Russell Coleman is asking for continued funds for the Body Armor Grant Program. On Thursday, at The University of Kentucky Police Department Headquarters, General Coleman praised the leadership of the General Assembly for delivering for law enforcement. Looking to build on the success of the program, he asked for $10 million a year, for the next two years. The funds would ensure Kentucky’s law enforcement have vests, shields, helmets, and other life-saving equipment.
Watch today's event here.
“We have fitted more than 2,400 law enforcement professionals with soft body armor. Twenty-nine of those vests are right here at UKPD. Along with 80 carriers, 160 rifle plates, and 8 ballistic shields,” said Attorney General Coleman. “These aren’t percentages or numbers—what we’re talking about today is the difference between mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, making it home to their families at the end of their shift.”
“At the University of Kentucky Police Department, we’ve sworn an oath to protect and serve this campus community — no matter the threat, no matter the hour,” said Joe Monroe, University of Kentucky Police Department’s Chief of Police. “Thanks to Attorney General Coleman’s Body Armor Grants Program, we’ve received critical tools to help keep our officers safe and ready. This equipment strengthens our ability to respond to the most serious threats and reinforces our commitment to protecting the students, faculty, staff and visitors of this university.”
In 2024, the General Assembly appropriated $15 million to create the Body Armor Grant program in the Attorney General’s Office. Before the program, 20 percent of Kentucky's law enforcement were wearing expired body armor or none at all. In the last two years, General Coleman has closed the gap to less than one percent.
“As Senate Budget vice chair, I was proud of and supported the Kentucky General Assembly’s decision to provide the Attorney General’s request for the funding that made this possible,” said Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington. “That support was grounded in a simple belief: when we invest in officer safety, we get real results.”
During a recent standoff with an armed suspect in Scott County, two deputies used a shield acquired by funds provided through the program to protect themselves from gunfire. The Attorney General recognized the two deputies at Thursday’s event, thanking them for their service.
“This program isn’t just about the equipment- it’s about protecting the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way for others. When officers have the right protection, they can do their jobs with greater confidence and a much better chance of going home safely at the end of the shift,” said Jeremy Nettles, Scott County Sheriff.
Images from today’s event are available here.