Lyndhurst Police Officer Kevin Breslin adjusting his Kevlar bulletproof vest. "Our policy is if I buy it, you wear it," said his chief, James O'Connor.
Paramus Police Officer Rachel Morgan was wearing a bulletproof vest when a motorist fired at her in a late-night encounter last month, but she and officers in many North Jersey towns aren't required to use the protective shields.
Now, in part because of Morgan's good fortune, more police departments are talking about requiring officers to wear armor when on patrol. Her vest is credited with deflecting two of the bullets aimed at Morgan, who is recovering from gunshot wounds to the leg and abdomen.
New Milford, Wayne, Hawthorne and Hackensack, among other departments, said they expect to rewrite their policies.
"Safety is paramount here, and the underlying factor in all of this is the safety of our officers, and anything we can do to ensure that, we need to do," said Hackensack Capt. Tomas Padilla, who added that the department likely will soon mandate that all patrol officers wear the vests.
"It's just something that evolved. At first officers bought their own vests, so it was a personal choice," said Wayne police Capt. Mark McGrath. "There was always a high number of officers wearing them, so we never made it mandatory."
Other law-enforcement agencies -- including the New Jersey State Police, Fort Lee, Garfield, Teaneck and Ridgefield -- have had the requirement for years.
"It's just as important as a seat belt," said Ridgefield Police Chief Thomas Gallagher, who noted that the vest requirement for patrol officers dates to 1988. "You never know what you are going to run into when you are out there. It's an unpredictable environment."
Even more towns will be changing their policies in coming months if they want to receive federal funds to purchase the vests, which cost from $700 to more than $1,000 each.
The U.S. Department of Justice doles out millions to law enforcement agencies under its Bullet- proof Vest Partnership. A new policy for fiscal year 2011 now says that departments applying for funds must have a written mandatory-wear policy for all uniformed officers. Departments can start applying for grants next month.
The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, which also awards grants through its Body Armor Replacement Fund, does not insist that such a policy be a condition for the funds. However, it is "reviewing its policies and exploring their options considering the federal mandates," said Rachel Goemaat, a spokeswoman.
Many towns depend on federal and state funds to absorb a portion of the cost of the vests. In some towns, such as Paramus, donations from the community also help. Paramus Detective Robert Von Schalscha, co-chairman of the police union's soft body armor vest committee, which purchases the clothing for borough officers, said Morgan was given her vest by the union when she joined the force two years ago. The union's program has been in place for more than 20 years, he said.
McGrath said Wayne will formulate a written policy based on the new federal grant requirement.
"We are definitely going to comply with that, because that's where we get our money to replace the vests," he said.
Many North Jersey departments that have received federal money in the past, including Clifton, Rochelle Park and the Bergen County Police, say they strongly encourage officers to use the vests even though the policy hasn't been mandatory.
Cliffside Park police Capt. Anthony Frato said most patrol officers in the 46-member department wear the vests even though it's not required. And detectives who work in headquarters keep the vests nearby so they can easily grab one before heading out on an emergency call, he said.
However, Frato said, he would not oppose a written directive.
"We saw in the last couple of weeks how many officers were involved in shootings throughout the country," he said. "It's an important tool that we have at our disposal, and I think it's very important to educate the officers on the vests."
Teaneck Police Chief Robert Wilson, on the other hand, said his department's mandate dates to 1993.
"We are concerned about our employees' safety and their ability to survive a deadly interaction such as what happened in Paramus," he said. "Our goal is for our officers to be safe, do their job and go home to their families."
The Paterson Police Department requires that officers who receive a new vest -- either for the first time or to replace an old one -- sign an agreement that they will be suited up while on duty. The policy was instituted more than a year ago.
"Anyone who got a vest signed this," said John Herald, range master for the department. "If you are a detective, and you are on a road, you signed this agreement that the city bought it for you, and you will wear it."
In Lyndhurst, Police Chief James O'Connor said 85 percent of his officers have received a vest through the department. "Our policy is if I buy it, you wear it," he said.
One reason some officers may not choose to wear the vests regularly is that some body armor can be heavy, bulky and uncomfortable, especially in summer, police said. Usually, the vests are worn underneath the police uniform shirt.
Padilla, acting officer in charge of the Hackensack force, said he is looking at policies from other Bergen County police departments. He also is investigating how to incorporate the mandate for volunteers in the Hackensack Citizen Officer Partnership Program. The program allows volunteers to go to the academy and assist officers in directing traffic and issuing summonses.
He said the city can't afford to buy vests for its 80 volunteers, but said the department will likely place vests in the vehicles they use in case of an emergency.
Padilla said he also wants the department to start purchasing less-cumbersome vests. He also is considering allowing officers to wear the body armor over their uniform shirt, but under their jackets during winter months.
"In the summer it makes it more difficult, because appearance-wise it doesn't sit well with most people," he said.
Hackensack Officer Anthony Ferraioli, president of the local police union, said he often encourages colleagues to wear their vests, but acknowledges that he's not so quick to follow his own advice.
"If they enforce it, I guess I'm going to have to wear my vest," the veteran officer said one night recently while at work. "My family will be happy."
