TUESDAY, November 3, 2026|
Photo – SPD uniform patch – Courtesy Saratoga Police Department
Saratoga officials approved the purchase of a ballistic vest for a newly hired member of the police department using a federal grant to cover half of the cost.
During the October 21st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore presented a $1,891.47 invoice from Rock Solid SST for equipment needed to outfit Officer Troy Skeens. Chief Moore said he has requested a 50 percent reimbursement through the United States Department of Justice’s Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program. However, he noted that the grant will only cover the cost of Officer Skeens’s ballistic vest.
If approved, the town will receive $704.70 back from the federal program.
Troy Skeens joined the Saratoga Police Department in September after serving as deputy sheriff of Crook County. Following an unsuccessful bid to unseat Sheriff Jeff Hodge in this year’s primary elections, Skeens accepted the position in Saratoga.
At the October 21st Town Council meeting, Chief Moore added the cost of ballistic inserts has risen significantly over the past 10 months.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved $1,891.47 to purchase equipment for Officer Troy Skeens.
