LEWISTON – Even in the humid spring and summer months, police stand by their credo where bullet proof vests are concerned: “Better hot than shot.”

With that in mind, several police agencies around the state Wednesday were awarded federal funds to help provide body armor for their officers.

“This federal funding is critical to our continuing efforts to fully equip law enforcement officials who risk their lives to serve and protect our communities,” senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said in a joint statement.

In all, $118,921.34 in federal money will be shared by more than 50 Maine police departments to help pay for bullet proof vests.

Auburn was awarded $4,582 of that money toward purchases. Lewiston will receive $2,550 and the Oxford County Sheriffs Department $349.

For a larger police department in Maine, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to provide vests for every officer. The vests typically pull over the torso and fasten with Velcro straps. The armor protects the chest and abdomen area as well as the back.

Police officials say the grant money is crucial to keeping their officers protected as much as possible. The life expectancy of one vest is roughly five years.