West Penn Township’s Police Department is better equipped thanks to the generosity of a local legion.

Members of the Tamaqua American Legion Post 173 recently donated six pop shields to the township’s police department.

Each of the shields cost $1,000, and officers can carry them with them and then pop them open when they need to.

Paul Corinchock, American Legion Post 173, thanked the township’s police department for its service.

In turn, West Penn police Chief Brian Johnson thanked the Legion for the generous donation.

Corinchock told Johnson it was the least that they could do since police put their lives on the line for the community and they often don’t get the respect they deserve.

In total, the Legion purchased 16 lightweight, quick-deploy armor shields for multiple area police departments, including West Penn, Tamaqua, Rush and Ryan townships.