The Ocala Police Department is asking the city to approve a $161,000 purchase for 28 replacement ballistic vests for officers conducting high-risk operations, saying the old vests have a five-year life span and fibers that degrade from normal wear and tear.
The purchase will be presented by Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken to the Ocala City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday.
According to a staff report, OPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team’s vests are scheduled to expire in February 2026. Replacement vests were budgeted in OPD’s current budget…