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OREM — At the Orem police department Tuesday, it looked like business as usual.
"We never know when things can go south and when they can go bad," said Lt. Craig Martinez of the Orem Department of Public Safety.
So, inside the building there is something new on the table. It may not look like much, but to the officers in Orem it could mean the difference between life and death.
"These armor-plated vests are 4A which means they're rated to stop rifle rounds," Martinez said.
The department now has 85 ceramic-plated vests and 85 new helmets. Following recent events, the equipment is a welcomed addition.
"It's heavy but when they're needed, our officers are definitely going to want to wear them."
Martinez said it was actually an officer who came up with the idea of added protection following the nightclub shooting in Orlando.
"This isn't something we're going to be wearing every day on a traffic stop," Martinez said.
The gear will be especially used in active shooter situations. As you can imagine, protection like this comes at a premium.
"They're expensive," Martinez said. "They're not cheap."
All the new equipment cost the city a little more than $59,000.
"Ultimately, it's just more equipment and more tools for our officers to do their job and more importantly to go home safe at the end of the shift," Martinez said.
