The Uniontown Police Department received a much needed gift on Wednesday that will help ensure the safety of their officers.

Bill Hamner, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, presented Uniontown Police Chief Donald Rhodes and his seven officers with funds to purchase bullet-proof vests.

These funds, Hamner said, came from a grant given to Uniontown police by the State FOP.

Uniontown police has spent the past several years asking their city council to purchase bullet-proof vests, but budget shortages always left them empty handed.

Rhodes said he was ecstatic about finally being able to purchase the bullet-proof vests for the protection of his officers.

Representatives from Max Uniforms went to the Uniontown Police Department on Wednesday to measure the offices for perfect-fitting vests.

Hamner said he was not sure when the vest will arrive, but they Uniontown officers will not have to wait long.

The FOP is the largest professional police organization in the country.

Part of its mission is to provide officers with the equipment they need to stay safe while on the job if city budgets are in a crisis.