SOUTH ST. PAUL — A police chief in the Twin Cities area wants to buy new riot gear for his department to bolster meager supplies.

South St. Paul Police Chief William Messerich wants to spend unused salary funds to buy up to $34,000 in protective equipment. He said the department has six riot helmets that date back to the 2008 Republican National Convention and wooden batons from the 1970s.

Messerich said in a memo to the City Council that riot gear needs “have been there for a long time.” But he said the department became more concerned after unrest in places like Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, following the deaths of unarmed black involving police.

Plans would see South St. Paul police buy 10 ballistic shields, 17 rifle protection plates and 28 ballistic helmets.