Sheriffs donate tactical gear

Sheriffs throughout Minnesota are joining forces to help war-torn Ukraine with tactical gear that can no longer be used locally.
The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association (MSA) is coordinating an effort to collect old equipment from departments across the state. As of late last week, more than 600 ballistic and tactical vests and riot helmets had been collected, according to Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele, who serves on the MSA Board.
Last week, Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge showed up at the Steele County Law Enforcement Center with about 24 vests and helmets to add to Steele County’s pile of tactical gear. The equipment has been transported to MSA in the Twin Cities before being routed to Ukraine over the next few weeks.
“This is a proud moment where we can help the defenseless Ukranians in whatever aspect,” said Thiele. “These vests and helmets will assist families who are getting shelled at without protection.”
In Steele County’s case, the tactical gear is expired and can no longer be used on patrol, Thiele said. For example, the ballistic vests are warrantied for five years by the manufacturer. After that, companies will not guarantee them so officers must change them out for new ones.
“We have to supply our deputies with new vests every five years,” Thiele said. “Nothing happens to the old vests other than they sit around in our basement. So the items in our basement can now go to great use,” he added.
Thiele said they have done some proven exercises with the expired gear showing it is still effective. “We have taken some of the gear to the gun range and found the vests still stop certain calibers of firearms,” he said.
“This is something is better than nothing plan for the Ukranians,” Thiele said.