US police and law enforcement agencies are sending protective equipment to Ukrainian civilians

• Police departments across the US are donating protective gear to Ukraine, CNN reported.
• Departments are working with non-profits to send gear like vests and helmets.

In an unprecedented move, US law enforcement agencies are sending police gear to Ukraine to help civilians.

Police departments across the country have teamed with charity organizations to send needed protective gear to Ukraine, CNN reported. The non-profit organization The Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, for example, said it obtained licenses from the Department of Commerce and the State Department to ship certain regulated, military-grade items to Ukraine.

UACC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment but Mick Safron, an executive member of the board of UACC told CNN that the organization's license only allows them to send the gear to civilians who joined territorial defense units.

Additionally, US Army veteran Alex Plitsas told CNN that some of the police equipment isn't military-grade and therefore doesn't need any approval to be shipped. CNN also noted there are no reports of weapons or ammunition being sent.

Last week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that the state was sending 146 protective helmets and 714 ballistic vests to Ukraine. The equipment was donated from several law enforcement agencies, according to a press release.

"Ukrainian men and women have taken up arms alongside their military to protect their homeland from Putin's unprovoked attack," Reynolds said. "Iowa has a special connection to Ukraine through our sister state relationship with Cherkasy. Today's donation fulfills an urgent need in Cherkasy and represents an incredible team effort from the entire state."

Likewise, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said his state donated 50 pieces of protective equipment, including 321 body armor vests and 69 Kevlar helmets.

"As they defend their homeland, Ukrainians have an immense need for protective gear. Agencies large and small from across Nebraska have stepped up to help meet this need. I'm grateful for Nebraskans' generosity in donating these critical supplies," Ricketts said in a press release.

Experts told CNN that it isn't typical for law enforcement agencies to send supplies to assist a foreign nation during a war.

While organizers said their efforts were legal, experts also told CNN that the federal government probably should not be authorizing police departments to send equipment abroad.

Valerie Morkevičius, an associate professor of political science at Colgate University, told CNN while there may be moral and ethical reasons for a police department to help Ukrainians, there are broader implications.

"If we want to say it's OK this time, what are the guideposts we might be shifting for future actions?"  she said.

When considering donating, a State Department spokesperson told Insider to first contact the Ukrainian embassy to confirm that items they wish to export meet an immediate need. Then "items must first be assessed to determine how they are controlled for purposes of export," the spokesperson said.

"Donations of export-controlled defense related commodities are subject to U.S. government regulations and may require authorization," the spokesperson said. "Prospective donors are responsible for complying with relevant export controls."

The Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.