Fraternal Order of Police Launches Safety Vest Program

The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police has launched a new program designed to help smaller law enforcement agencies keep their officers safe while on duty.

It’s called “Operation Protect Our Protectors” and this week, the group donated two bullet-proof vests to the Hart County Sheriff’s office.

DNR Law Enforcement officer Craig Fulghum is chairman of the FOP’S Ballistic Vest Committee.

Fulghum says the group is working with law enforcement agencies across Georgia to provide the safety vests and other equipment.

“The Georgia FOP represents 4,000 law enforcement members across the state and is part of the nation’s largest law enforcement organization, with more than 318,000 members nationwide,” Fulghum explained. “These vests, provided through the Georgia FOP’s “Operation Protect Our Protectors” ballistic vest program, were presented to Sheriff Mike Cleveland and will be given to two of his officers. Operation Protect Our Protector is designed to donate ballistic vests to law enforcement agencies across Georgia, specifically to those agencies that can’t afford to purchase the vests.”

The presentation to the Hart County Sheriff’s office was made Tuesday in Hartwell.

Fulghum says no matter how large or small the law enforcement agency is, all officers need to be protected.

“Officer Safety is a very important issue to all of us in law enforcement, and the ballistic vest has been proven to save lives and reduce injuries,” said Fulghum. “Every officer should wear a ballistic vest every day. The FOP is working to ensure that more officers within our state have this extra level of security.” Being able to present these vests to the Hart County Sheriff’s Department in the area that I live and work is extra special to me. In the world we live in now it is extremely important that all Law Enforcement wear protective vest and the FOP is proud to assist in that effort.”

In addition to the donation of ballistic vests to underfunded law enforcement agencies, the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police works to improve communities across the state in a number of ways.

The FOP also supports Easter Seals and the “Cops and Kids” program, in which officers take children shopping during the holidays.