The Douglasville Police Department recently applied for two equipment grants from the United States Department of Justice.

One of these grants is a $25,125 Byrne Grant with no local match that, if granted, will be used to purchase a $10,325 tactical bulletproof blanket and four laser speed detection devices at $3,700 each.

Deputy Chief Gary Sparks said the blanket will be used by the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team for protection and the speed detection devices will be used by the patrol division.

According to the Department of Justice Web site, Byrne grants ”may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws.”

A Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program grant with no local match for $21,250 will cover half the cost for 75 new vests to be purchased over two years, with the other half of the cost coming from the city’s confiscated drug funds.

“We plan on replacing all the older vests with new vests for all our officers,” Sparks said.

The Douglasville City Council Monday voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Mickey Thompson to sign all necessary forms for both grant applications.