Not Just for SWAT: How One County Upgraded Officer Safety With RTS Tactical

When a call comes in about an active shooter, officers don’t get the luxury of time. They do exactly what first responders do, they respond first. Officers go in first, fast, and often underprepared for what’s on the other side.

For decades, most patrol officers across the country have worn vests designed primarily for handgun threats. While these soft armor systems offer basic protection, they were never built to stop high-velocity rifle rounds, leaving officers dangerously exposed during the exact scenarios where they’re needed most.

In Cambria County, Pennsylvania, that concern became too real to ignore. In past incidents, officers responding to high-risk situations found themselves outgunned and under-protected, forced to hold back until a SWAT team could arrive with the proper gear. But in high-stakes, fast-moving threats, time isn’t a luxury - it’s a liability.

As Cresson Township Police Chief, Mike Nycum explained, "A normal officer doesn't necessarily have the higher level of protection."

That’s why Cambria County took action. Thanks to the leadership of retired Judge Norman Krumenacker and a grant from the 1889 Foundation, all 22 police departments in the county are now equipped with tactical gear that brings SWAT-level protection directly to the patrol line. Officers received RTS Tactical gear designed specifically to stop today’s most dangerous threats.

For retired Cambria County Judge Norman Krumenacker, this effort goes far beyond funding gear, it’s about understanding the real risks officers face every day. As he put it, "I knew police who lost their lives. You do your job, and that's what these people do. But the thing is I have the luxury as a judge to see it after the fact, to just make a judgment. I'm not the guy at 2 o'clock in the morning standing on a porch, hoping I don't get fired (upon)."

Officers were outfitted with the RTS Tactical Premium Plate Carrier system - a meticulously constructed plate carrier engineered with cutting-edge technology to ensure you're ready for any mission and built to perform under real-world conditions. Inside those carriers are RTS Tactical Ceramic Level IV Plates, certified under NIJ 0101.06 standards to protect against Armor-Piercing threats like those fired from AR-15s, including 5.56mm NATO; .308 M80; 7.62x45; and up to the powerful .30-06 APM2. This level of protection was once considered exclusive to SWAT, but now, it’s being carried daily by local patrol.

Cambria County didn’t stop there. Officers were also issued RTS Tactical’s Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shields. Compact, agile, and rifle-rated, these shields are giving officers mobile, handheld protection that’s proving critical for room clearing, vehicle stops, and barricade incidents.

What makes this initiative even more remarkable is how it came together. Instead of waiting for a federal grant or relying on department budgets already stretched thin, Judge Krumenacker had a simple, powerful idea: sell confiscated firearms and use the proceeds to fund gear that saves lives. In just a short time, the county raised $15,000, enough to provide all of the 22 police departments in Cambria County with a total of 44 brand-new protective RTS shields and RTS tactical gear vests.

The impact has already been felt. Cresson Township Police Chief Mike Nycum reflected on a past active shooter incident where the delay in SWAT arrival created a dangerous window of vulnerability. Now, with RTS Tactical gear in the hands of frontline officers, that delay no longer has to mean exposure.

As Cresson Township Police Chief Mike Nycum put it, "If you have this vest, and you happen to get shot by a higher caliber ... your normal patrol vest may not stop that. These provide added proection .. It adds that extra layer of officers coming home safe every night."

It’s a sobering reminder that protection should never be an afterthought. Whether you're responding to a domestic call or an active shooter, today's threats don’t wait, don’t warn, and don’t follow the rules. That’s why your gear needs to be ready for anything.

The story of Cambria County is a model for law enforcement agencies across the country. It shows that when communities, leadership, and manufacturers like RTS Tactical come together with a shared purpose, real change happens. It doesn’t take a multi-million-dollar budget to make a difference. It takes initiative, partnership, and the will to prioritize officer safety - every shift, every call, every time.

For departments still operating with standard-issue soft armor, Cambria County’s story is a wake-up call. Rifle-rated protection is no longer a luxury reserved for specialized units. With RTS Tactical’s mission-driven design, versatile systems, and dedicated support team, this level of safety is now accessible for every officer, not just a select few.

We’re proud to stand with the men and women of law enforcement who make the ultimate sacrifice daily. And we’re proud to build the gear that helps bring them home.

If you're part of a department ready to take the next step in officer protection, or if you're a community member who wants to help, RTS Tactical is here to make it happen.

Is your department still relying on outdated armor? 

Let’s change that. Contact us for a quote or to learn how other departments made it happen. https://rtstactical.com/pages/rfq-home or Call (786) 796-2759 Today.

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