When your profession involves unknown threats, wearing body armor isn’t an option; it is a necessity. Every single day, police officers and first responders put their lives at risk while they serve and protect those within their communities. And while you cannot always be certain what to expect on duty, you need to be prepared for anything.
According to government data, during the last decade, there were nearly 60,000 assaults a year on police officers. During that same timeframe, one-third of police deaths were caused by gunshots. Gunshots are one of the leading causes of deaths for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, which is why it is so critical that officers wear body armor and protective gear when going into any situation.
But not all body armor is the same. There are different types of body armor offering varying degrees of protection against different threats. While there is no such thing as a completely bulletproof vest, it will absorb and spread out the impact of a gunshot, larger surface area, resulting in far fewer serious injuries and deaths.
Who is protecting our officers?
At this point, it is generally accepted that wearing body armor saves lives. Yet some police departments and first responder units still do not equip their officers with body armor. Cost, maneuverability, and training are all reasons that some departments are unable to provide this extremely essential equipment.
It is the responsibility of law enforcement departments to provide the necessary equipment for keeping officers safe. Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that police departments are increasingly mandating that police officer are required to wear body armor while on duty. There are even programs available to help fund departments who may not be able to afford the price tag that comes with equipping their forces.
For the past 20 years, Congress has helped fund the purchase of body armor for state and local law enforcement agencies, so that more officers would be able to benefit from the increase in protection. Known as the BPV Program(The Matching Grant Program for Law Enforcement Armor Vests), this program provides grants to state, local and tribal governments to purchase armor vests for law enforcement and court officers.
Which type of armor is best for law enforcement?
Choosing the right body armor system is critical. While the benefits of wearing body armor are clear and vast, wearing body armor that is too heavy restricts your movement or slows you down can be more of a hazard than a safety precaution. Thankfully, body armor comes in many different sizes, cuts, and weights to ensure you choose the protection that is tailored to your exact specifications and needs. If your body armor is limiting your abilities to maneuver and stay tactical, it is probably not the right body armor system for you.
Wearing body armor can take its toll on anybody. Because of this, police officers and first responders must maintain a certain level of physical fitness, also taking into account the heavy loads that most of these individuals are required to wear at all times –a chest rig, communication system, weaponry, handcuffs, and other personal protective equipment.
You also need to make sure whether ceramic or steel body armor is right for you. Most ceramic armor plates are designed to protect against high caliber and armor-piercing rounds. , steel armor plates to are designed to stop high caliber and some armor-piercing rounds. Of course, this protection also depends on the level of NIJ ballistic protection. Level IIA and Level II protect against 9mm and smaller caliber rounds. Level IIIA protects against ammunition up to .44 Magnum. Level III protects against 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and lower caliber rounds. The highest rating for body armor is Level IV, which protects against all calibers mentioned and up to .30 armor-piercing rounds.
Steel armor has a reputation as the most durable body armor available. But while hard body armor systems protect wearers against even more threats and elevated threat levels, the weight and larger profile can inhibit mobility and maneuverability. Your level of physical fitness must be considered when choosing between heavier steel body armor systems and ceramic/composite body armor systems. Most steel body armor plates weigh in the range of 5-11lbs, depending on the size, cut and coating, while soft body armor chest and back plates usually weigh just a bit more than one pound each.
One drawback to ceramic armor plates is that they usually cannot handle multiple shots or impact in the same place. Some law enforcement officers choose to use both steel and ceramic armor together for the highest level of comprehensive threat protection.
Take care of body armor and it will take care of you
Owning and wearing a vest is not all that needs to be done to ensure the effectiveness of body armor. Just like firearms and other equipment, body armor must be maintained. Most body armor manufacturers offer a minimum of five-year warranties, but the age of body armor does not decrease the effectiveness as much as a lack of maintenance does.
Most body armor plates can be hand-washed as needed, but it is imperative to follow the specific maintenance instructions of the manufacturer. Proper maintenance instructions will vary for each individual body armor plate and carrier, so be sure to check the guidelines for caring for each piece of equipment.
Why Spartan Armor Systems are the top choice of law enforcement
Although there are numerous options when choosing the right body armor, law enforcement and first responders need to make sure their body armor meets the proper NIJ levels of protection for potential common threats. As one of the premier body armor and tactical gear suppliers in the United States that specializes in NIJ 0101.06 Certified and compliant body armor, Spartan Armor Systems offers a wide range of high-quality armor plates, body armor, reactive targets, and much more. Find the body armor that is perfect for your needs at spartanarmorsystems.com.
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