New Ballistic Shields Donated To Catoosa Police Department

Catoosa Police just got new tools that could save officers’ lives in an emergency.

Catoosa Police say they’ve needed upgraded shields for a long time, but the money was never in the budget.

But thanks to an anonymous donor and a local foundation, every Catoosa PD shift is now equipped with a shield.

Claremore-based Stand First Foundation contacted CPD in December to let officers know an anonymous donor provided the money to give the department four ballistic shields.

Assistant Chief Andrew Wimberley said the department used to have an older style of shield, but it was only rated for pistol calibers. The new shields are rated for pistol and rifles.

He said not only could these shields protect officers, they could help them respond more quickly to certain situations. Like in September, when officers got into a standoff with a quadruple murder suspect from Chicago on the Rogers Turnpike with a woman in the vehicle with him.

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"When we’re approaching that vehicle and opening those doors, we don’t know what’s inside. We don’t know if they’re sitting there waiting for an officer to open the door, to take fire, take shots at him. If we’d had that shield, that just gives you a little bit of extra protection, a little bit more confidence in being able to approach and do your job," Wimberley said.

Wimberley thinks as the Catoosa Police Department grows with the city, the city council will approve the money to buy more shields in the future.