by James Coulter
To better prepare themselves for high-risk operations, the Lake Wales Police Department will be purchasing 16 ballistic shields through a +$17K grant.
At their recent workshop on Wed. July 31, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed a consent agenda item for next week’s city commission meeting. The agenda item is for the approval of grant funding for the city police department to purchase protective equipment.
If approved, the department will receive $17,920 through the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grants. The funding will go toward the purchase of 16 ballistic shields.
These shields will be utilized “to help protect law enforcement officers during high-risk situations that involve active shooters, armed suspects and other dangerous encounters requiring immediate tactical response,” wrote Christopher Velasquez, Lake Wales Chief of Police.
“This equipment is crucial during high-risk operations such as warrant services, barricaded subjects, and active assailant incidents,” Chief Velasquez wrote. “Addressing this equipment need through grant funding will enhance our department’s capacity to respond swiftly and safely to violent encounters, potentially saving lives while maintaining law and order within our community.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie asked if the police department had been involved in any incidents where such protective equipment was necessary. She raised concerns about the equipment being used for riot control, and asked if such precautions were necessary.
“Seems to me when you think of shields, you think of riots,” she said. “Seems to me we wouldn’t need these shields unless you were concerned about riots.”
Chief Velasquez mentioned an ambush several years ago where several police officers and a police dog were shot.
“You don’t need them until you do,” he said. “90 percent of the time they are not needed, but when they are, they are certainly appreciated.”
Commissioner Gillespie asked how the department determines how much equipment to purchase. Chief Velasquez replied that the amount of potential funds through the grant was the determining factor.
“We want to make sure that anyone who needs one has one available,” he said.
Lake Wales city commissioners will vote upon the agenda item at their next city commission meeting, scheduled for Tues. Aug. 5 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
