BOSTON — State Senators voted down an amendment that included money for local police departments to purchase bulletproof vests Thursday, but shortly after that voted again and passed it.
The money covers half the cost of a bullet proof vest, which officers have to replace every five years. The first vote in the State Senate took the dollars away needed to replace the vests.
Lawmakers voted 20-17 against an amendment that included $300,000 specifically for the vests. The vote came the same week Auburn Police Officer Ron Tarentino was shot to death during a traffic stop.
Lawmakers unexpectedly took up the issue again, and it passed.
Local chiefs say you can’t put a dollar price on officers’ lives.
"We are very grateful the senate went back in and reconsidered their vote and did the right thing,” said Walpole Chief John Carmichael.
Kevlar vests usually cost around $700 a piece. Departments, like Walpole Police, apply for federal funding for half of the cost and typically apply for state funding to cover the other half.
Gov. Charlie Baker said he was unclear about what happened during the votes, but added he would have a way to fund this any way.
FOX25 contacted several of the state lawmakers involved in the vote, but hasn’t heard back from any of them.
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