ADAMS TWP — New equipment for the police will mean increased safety for residents.

That’s the word from the township supervisors, who on Monday night approved $37,443 for equipment requested by the 18-officer police department.

Officers will receive 11 sets of body armor, including helmets, for $31,515. Linda Lees, the supervisor in charge of police, said even a rifle shot cannot penetrate the armor’s chest protector.

The township also will buy a vehicle door-breaching device and seven tire deflation kits at a cost of $3,388. Known as spike strips, the tire deflation devices can be placed on the road to deflate the tires of a vehicle that is speeding away.

The door-breaching kit allows officers to access the vehicles of suspects.

The police department also will receive five new breath-test devices for $2,540. The devices are used at traffic stops or DUI checkpoints to take a preliminary measurement of a suspected drunken driver’s blood alcohol level.

Lees said the tire deflation kits will protect motorists against fleeing suspects, and the breath-test kits against drunk drivers.

The body armor will protect officers against more violent criminals.

“It is a safety measure for the police as well as residents,” Lees said.

Assistant Police Chief Shawn Anglum agreed that both police and residents will benefit from the purchase.

“The equipment will help keep our officers safe, and protect our citizens as well,” he said.