Those who work in law enforcement are frequently putting themselves in harm’s way, but for the Dallas County Sheriff’s reserve deputies, the job just got a lot safer.

The Sheriff’s Office recently revealed their purchase of nine ballistic vests, which will be given to the deputies serving in the reserve program. The vests were purchased thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Dallas County Foundation, which was given earlier this year. The new body armor is lighter-weight than the equipment previously used by the reserves, allowing for better mobility for the individuals. Sheriff Chad Leonard says there are 11 reserve deputies in the County, so they will look into other funding sources to purchase vests for the two remaining officers.

The reserve program is made up of volunteers from around the County that have successfully graduated a reserve peace officer’s certification program through the State of Iowa. Each is required to provide at least eight-hours of service per month, which is typically patrolling during busy times of the day, school patrol for communities without law enforcement services, or helping out with weekend events. Leonard thanked the Dallas County Foundation for supporting the program, and expressed his appreciation for the reserve deputies for their service to the County.