Officers depend on their body armor on a daily basis. There is the inevitability, however, that the armor will one day no longer properly function. Here’s how three agencies chose their body armor.
First steps in the process
Every department has their own particular protocol for purchasing and replacing body armor. There are, however, a few guidelines that most departments can follow when it comes to choosing the right body armor. Recently, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) renewed its body armor contract, set up for two years. When it comes to choosing the type of body armor, product specifications are sent to a Principal Administrative Analyst that works for the city’s Office of Contract Administration, Purchasing Division. This includes a bid and conditions of potential contracts. The city receives multiple bids—each one is looked over for review of whether or not it meets the specifications of the police department’s needs. “The City generally awards the contract to the lowest bidder once the bid is accepted by the agency,” says Lieutenant Angela Willhelm.
Several companies give prospective buyers a shooting or test demonstration, providing departments with a realistic outlook of whether a particular type of body armor meets their needs or not. The demonstrations may be requested or departments may attend one that is already scheduled to take place.
Policy guidelines and specifications
Most departments have specifications or guidelines when it comes to personnel uniforms, including body armor. Some agencies refer to the National Institute of Justice laboratory guidelines for additional specifications in regard to size and weight of body armor. Rules and guidelines to follow—such as design and the proper fit for body armor—are usually included. These guidelines help when the department considers bids from manufacturers. While some departments focus on one design that fits all, a few departments are beginning to choose separate designs for male and female officers. Other aspects taken into consideration are the durability and the agility of the inner panels of the vests. One way to solidify whether a particular type of body armor is the best fit for your department is to have the FBI Body Armor Test Protocol prior to purchasing.
SFPD uses several different types of vests. “The ballistic vests are Armor Express, Vortex with AEXPG2-A IIIA Ballistics, Revolution Carriers and choice of Ara-shock Plate in 5x7, 5x8, or 7x10, Model VTX3MARG2 (Male) or VTXF3ARG (Female),” Willhelm notes. The Vortex AEXPG2-A IIIA is a quarter of an inch thick, and weighs just over one pound. This particular inner vest offers some of the highest protection available and is suitable for concealment and tactical use. The Revolution Carrier is durable and offers extra protection and space for storing additional tools the officer may need. SFPD also equips their officers with soft body armor made for several different situations. Additionally, the department’s Uniform and Safety Committee is looking into purchasing external vest carriers that are of a Level III grade. “This would be in addition to our current ballistic vests,” says Willhelm.
Chief Sauschuck of the Portland Police Department (Maine) says the agency began issuing body armor to officers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Though at that time police officers were not required to wear their body armor at all times while on duty, they were required to have the body armor in their vehicle. The department then created a body armor committee to discuss the standard operating procedures regarding the use of body armor. The committee was also developed for the purpose of examining different types of armor and vendors. The organization constantly works with officers and their unions to ensure preference and feedback is taken into consideration in regard to body armor decisions.
Today’s body armor should be comfortable without sacrificing the level of protection needed. Guidelines may be found on the NIJ’s website and may serve as a resource for all departments. Level II-A body armor is able to protect against ammunition such as 9mm full jacket bullets, or .40 Smith and Wesson full jacket ammo. This level is best for everyday use and though protected from fatal injury, an officer would most likely sustain injuries such as bruising.
For more protection without feeling too bulky there is Level II body armor. This is able to withstand ammunition such as 9mm full jacket bullets as well as other ammo such as .357 JSP.
Level II is recommended for daily wear as it offers higher protection without compromising comfort. Level III-A is best for high risk situations and tactical events. Able to protect against 9mm ammo it is also able to protect against .44 magnum hollow points. Most departments issue officers at least two types for different events.
The issue of funding
Budgets are most likely a concern for many departments when it comes to upgrading body armor. “In the more recent past, we have again tested multiple products and asked companies to bid on the cost of acquiring the body armor,” says Sauschuck. The cost of the armor is included in the city of Portland’s operating budget.
Oklahoma City PD uses their finance staff to enter a purchase request which then goes through their city council in order to have a state contract for body armor authorized. Once approved the purchase is sent to the vendor. Stroope says this year the body armor was available on a state contract specifically.
While some agencies budget accordingly for the direct purpose of buying body armor, others rely on grants or reimbursement funding. Departments can apply for these grants such as the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant, a federally funded grant found on the Department of Justice website. Sauschuck says their department receives a partial reimbursement of the cost from this particular partnership. Once the product arrives, the purchase order is sent in and a reimbursement is given. This is ideal for replacing or upgrading armor.
Each grade or level of body armor is replaced at a different time as well. This is usually dependent upon how often the body armor is worn. Soft vests may need to be replaced sooner because they are worn the most while Level III armor may last longer since it is not used on a daily basis.
Though most armor is tried on for proper fit once purchased, it is best to have it professionally fitted to each officer. If any drastic change in weight occurs, it is suggested to be refitted to ensure that the officer is properly protected, maximizing safety.
About the Author
Hilary Romig is currently a crime scene investigator and evidence technician at the Ruidoso Police Department (N.M.). She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement training.
