Rathdrum council OKs $25,000 from video-storage savings to buy rifle plates and new carriers for patrol officers

Rathdrum — The City Council authorized the police department to use $25,000 of identified savings from Axon video‑storage costs to purchase new soft‑armor carrier systems and Level III rifle plates for patrol officers.

Police Chief Dan said every officer is already outfitted with soft body armor and the requested funds would buy rifle plates and compatible carriers so officers can carry rifle protection when required. “Every officer is outfitted with current body armor currently,” Dan said, adding that the plates are a Level III rifle plate and the department had located a supplier (Angel Armory, Fort Collins, Colorado) that could deliver faster than larger vendors. Chief Dan said outfitting initially would cover about a dozen officers and that soft‑armor panels typically have a five‑year life cycle.

Council discussed how the funding was identified: Chief said historical usage of Axon storage had left savings in the line item, and staff had reviewed multi‑year usage to confirm the savings would not be needed for the rest of the budget year. Council moved and passed a motion to authorize staff to use the identified savings for the purchase.

What it buys: The purchase covers new carriers and front rifle plates (Level III) for patrol officers; some officers may choose internal (concealed) carriers and others external carriers. The department plans to retain existing soft panels as spare equipment for training and new hires.

Quote: “We’re providing that safety equipment that is addressing almost every threat that we can,” the chief said.