Law Enforcement Technology

AUG 2017

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30 LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY AUGUST 2017 www.officer.com U NIF O R M S A N D B O D Y A R M O R Enhance Your Protection Today's body armor offerings boast more customization, comfort, lighter weight with durability and functionality by Hilar y Romig B ody armor can be the determining factor in police safety. Body armor manufactur- ers take into consideration every situa- tion an officer may encounter while on duty, and new threats drive development including the materials used to make vests and the grades of durability offered. Officer Brad Baker of the Denver (Colo.) Police Department says they are issued Level II and Level IIIA soft armor for routine patrol. "We also have steel plates and carriers for higher risk situations," he says. Across the board, more and more departments are making ballistic vests mandatory uniform. The Tucson (Ariz.) Police Department requires officers to wear them at all times unless assigned to administrative duty, however, the officer must have easy access to their body armor if that is the case. One vest issued for their officers is a Level IIA at the least so the vest may be concealed use. Body armor is not what it once was; rather, today's body armor comes with relatively more comfort, adjustability and less weight all the while maintaining both function and safety. Durability and comfort advancements The technology implemented has grown, allowing vests to be durable and convenient for the officer. Propper International has recently introduced two designs that have been impactful on the law enforcement community. "Our Four Panel Vest (4PV) Concealable vest system is made for males or females specifically," says Marcus Treiber, vice president of armor products. The fact that the vest is cut to suit the male or female body in particular, results in an overall better fit for the officer. "It is a solid shape panel that offers both coverage and comfort," says Treiber. 4PV is a four paneled vest made of four, sepa- rate panels that offer protection without immo- bilizing the officer. Having two of the four panels on each side offers more protection in the field. In addition, each vest offers ballistic options with The Gen2 Razor soft armor by Armor Express fits easily into their vests.

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