PLATTE WOODS, Mo. — Thanks to a local Kansas City metro businessman, the Platte Woods Police Department is now equipped with up-to-date bulletproof vests.
The department received a $10,000 donation of vests from Bob Cutler, the founder of C3 Marketing, which arrived last month.
Police Chief Jim Kerns noted the department was in need of newer vests as the ones they currently had were aging out due to the years they were in service.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
Platte Woods Police Chief Jim Kerns showcases the new vests donated to the department last month.
The outer vests have the word Police on the back and have a spot for the officer’s badge and radio on the front. Kerns noted the ease of the new vest is nice. For instance, if he is in the office doing paperwork he can easily take the vest off if needed.
“From a comfort level it is great,” Kerns said. “From a threat assessment level, it is even greater with the new weapons and new rounds coming out it will be able to withstand a lot more than a traditional vest.”
The donation was welcome news to the new chief, who has been with the department for 37 years, and the staff that features two full-time officers and eight part-timers.
“You can get by with a cheaper vest, but he didn’t donate cheap vests, he spent the money and bought the higher threat level and the outer carrier opposed to the inside,” Kerns said.
Cutler’s donation also allowed Kerns to buy other equipment for the department that would’ve otherwise been placed on hold until money was available.