Who Wears Bullet Proof Vests?

[PO in MD]

I'm a Probation Officer and we are assigned vests. Does anyone wear them. No. It's only worn if we do Planned Work With the Sheriff's Department. Our vests are outdated and does not fit. That is the main reason no one wears them. We are told to pick sm med lg etc. If our safety is paramount, we should be properly fitted for our vests. males and females have different shapes. We all are different sizes and some in between sizes. We are considered law enforcement but in name only. I researched the brand that I have and it was not reliable...taken off the market....Our dept. purchased these vests that were sitting on a back shelf in another department..It's one thing to save money but let's look at our safety first. I would love to wear my vest and I do on occassion but It chokes me, It's difficult to drive. I know my safety is important and it is up to me to put the vest on. I am now saving my money to purchase my own vest. it's sad that an Agency like DOC does not make safety equipment a priority. It's bad enough that we have to purchase our own weapons. Just my opinion....

[Surf]

I don't think anyone wears bullet proof vests.

[CityCopDC]

Thats crazy. I wouldnt give a damn if it fits or not. Something is better than nothing. And in this day and age with lunatics shooting up schools, grocery stores and just in the general public, you would never catch me not wearing mine, ever. The day I dont wear my vest, Ill shoot myself because the only thing you are doing is taking a gamble.

[PO in MD]

I understand where you are coming from. I was an officer in DC at 7D and I worked midnights in the early 90's. I always wore a vest. You are right, I should never go without a vest. You are law enforcement as I. We spend a lot of time in the office. It's frowned on to wear a vest in the office. Offender's come into the office and could have weapons. I myself check the offenders before bringing them back. Again, I see where you are coming from but in this town, we must be prepared. I know from my previous training at MPDC that I should never go without but I do. As do 99% of the CPO's in this state. It's not follow the leader but these vests have been proven not to even stop a bullet!! When we wear them, it's for show for the company that we may keep. Like I said, I am saving to purchase my own, then I will wear it without hesitation. Hell, most of the CPO's here don't even carry a weapon. They work the street going to convicted felons homes at all hours of the night with no protection. Most times the cell phones do not work because of the rural areas. This is the mind set for CPO's in DOC in FL....Not all but a very large majority. Even my superiors looked at me like I was strange when I came in with my weapon. And I am still looked at strange. It's a different world down here but either way a bullet pierces, whether up there in DC or down here in Central FL. I agree, I should not go without my vest. Now, I will get dressed and go check on these offender's in their homes and yes, I am going to put on my vest. I have become laxed down here. Thanks.

[DCPSDcop]

I wear mine every single day. No exceptions.

I know two officers I work with, that only wear them when we are under a heightened alert. Which is plain retarded.

[downsouthdeputy]

I agree that no one wears bullet "proof" vests. I wear a ballistic vest that is resistant to projectiles but far from bullet proof.

[mtxpro752]

my dept requires that any officer assigned to any field assignment wear a ballistic vest. If you aren't wearing it and get shot they don't have to cover resulting medical.... hasn't happened yet but I don't want to see it happen. Wear the thing, if you think you need all the crap on your batman belt but not a ballistic vest you are kidding yourself.

[CityCopDC]

I understand where you are coming from. I was an officer in DC at 7D and I worked midnights in the early 90's. I always wore a vest. Wow. You were on the dept in the early 90's when crack first really hit the scene at 7D. Man, I have only heard stories on how out of control it was.... http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sign/sign0011.gif

[DAL]

I'm a Probation Officer and we are assigned vests. Does anyone wear them. No. It's only worn if we do Planned Work With the Sheriff's Department. Our vests are outdated and does not fit. That is the main reason no one wears them. We are told to pick sm med lg etc. If our safety is paramount, we should be properly fitted for our vests. males and females have different shapes. We all are different sizes and some in between sizes. We are considered law enforcement but in name only. I researched the brand that I have and it was not reliable...taken off the market....Our dept. purchased these vests that were sitting on a back shelf in another department..It's one thing to save money but let's look at our safety first. I would love to wear my vest and I do on occassion but It chokes me, It's difficult to drive. I know my safety is important and it is up to me to put the vest on. I am now saving my money to purchase my own vest. it's sad that an Agency like DOC does not make safety equipment a priority. It's bad enough that we have to purchase our own weapons. Just my opinion....

I would like to have a bullet-proof vest, but mine is only bullet-resistant.

[VegasMetro]

I do...even when it's 115 degrees in August..It sucks, but so does the alternative....

[Nthwk268]

I just retired after 34 years on the job,the majority of that time on the street. I wore mine every shift whether it was day or night. It saved my life one night, two hits,and kept me from serious injury on more than one occasion. Wear it!! it's better than the alternative. And if you don't like what is issued,buy your own it's tax deductable.

[FmrHammerMonkey]

Man I worked El Paso, Texas for 4 long hot years before transferring up to Buffalo, and everyday was with a vest and damn the heat.

I feel naked without it, and should get a thank you letter and coupons from Frebreeze with how many gallons a year I spray on my carriers.

I have needed my vest everyday and called on it twice in my career...which is half way done this May 13th by the way!:)

1) Got slashed by a 5150 after touching his little boom box, no injuries sustained despite a cut in my shirt and vest 7 inches long.

2) Hit by a port runner in El Paso Sept 12th 2001, by an irate traveler who waited over 2 1/2 hours to cross back from Mexico. He rolled up to the Immigration officers booth and shouted "I'm F'ing American, and gunned it. I happend to be stepping out behind that booth at the very moment. I was immediately hurled up onto the hood and into the windshield. The driver panicked for a second and actually increased his speed to run the port since he had hit me, but when I drew my weapon, he slammed on the brakes and I flew off.
Aside from major cuts to my legs, hands, and face, all my major organs were protected from the impact of the initial hit and then flying off and rolling on hard top.

Ever since the first incident in 1999, I have worn a chicken plate to add protection for knives and blunt force trauma.

[Retired96]

Nov. 9, 1974 I bought my own vest long before they were isssued. That night at 2300 hrs I was involved in a fatal OIS. I never in 15 years on the street ever worked without my vest on.

[WaterCop18]

That pain in the ***** vest goes on my body every single day, no exceptions whatsoever. And Im not even in the ghetto chasing down crack dealing gangsters. I spend most of my days/nights working on my patrol boat with only a t-top as protection from the elements. Sweating my ***** off all day sure as hell doesnt make me stop wearing it.....I have however gotten into off-shore pursuits with suspected smugglers and I couldnt imagine what I would be feeling if I hadnt been wearing it...Even if the chances are only 20% that it will work( i made that number up), it may just be your lucky day!!!

[Fuzz1028]

I wish I had one to complain about. We get nadda. Although my under armour shirt is pretty badass

[kablaam]

I wish I had one to complain about. We get nadda. Although my under armour shirt is pretty badass

Buy one, you can get a decent Level II for 500 bucks which is better then nothing. It's funny how people will spend 600/year on term life insurance, thousands on televisions, hundreds for an IPOD but not spend the money on body armor.

[LA DEP]

I wish I had one to complain about. We get nadda. Although my under armour shirt is pretty badass

Your agency doesnt issue or at least help some on the $$$$$ for a frakin VEST?:mad:

[Jhelrey]

Buy it and write it off on taxes as a work expense... I do that when I go to the shooting range, etc.

[Fuzz1028]

Buy one, you can get a decent Level II for 500 bucks which is better then nothing. It's funny how people will spend 600/year on term life insurance, thousands on televisions, hundreds for an IPOD but not spend the money on body armor.

I have been told over and over that "they are coming" but I have given up. So that is where my stimulus check is going. Pretty damn sad that I have to buy my own vest.

[Fuzz1028]

Your agency doesnt issue or at least help some on the $$$$$ for a frakin VEST?:mad:

don't get me started. My agency holds my certification and that is about it. As soon as my probationary year with the state is up I am gone.

[LA DEP]

don't get me started. My agency holds my certification and that is about it. As soon as my probationary year with the state is up I am gone.

I dont blame you at all.....

[flash40]

I decided not to wear my vest one shift because I felt it was too hot/humid out. My shirt didn't tuck-in right, my belt felt heavier, and I just generally felt weird without it. Since then, I wear it no matter what. I much prefer being hot than dead!

Stay safe :)

[mi562]

I feel naked w/o mine!!!!!!

[Narco]

same here, but if i'm not in a uniform i dont wear it unless we're doing some sort of warrant or operation. most guys in CID don't wear them either so it's not a surprise that POs don't. when going to a probationer/parolees home to check on them i would have it on though.

[theie]

I'm a Probation Officer and we are assigned vests. Does anyone wear them. No....

Our department issues quality vests and cycle them timely for all probation officers, and if they request to carry a gun, we issue them one, no matter what their assignment is. Armed field officers are required to wear their vests while in the field. We are quite rural, so back-up is often quite far away. And we make a lot of arrests. A Probation department that doesn't recognize the need for proper safety equipment sounds like a scary and dangerous place to work.

[11b101abn]

I wear mine like God himself commands it.

I cannot fathom the lazy turds that dont wear thiers.

[shooter]

Im never without mine..

[chiefcop]

During 14 years I have not gone out on patrol without a vest. I tried once, but I stepped out of the house and said "I am missing something" turned around and put it on.

I have known several road deputies and officers that keep the vest in the rear of their car "if they need it in an emergency". Hummm, I have yet to be able to tell the future, so I am covered before it becomes an emergency!

I worked in a dept that did not provide a vest...I went out and bought my own! Yeah it cost a bunch and I could not afford it at the time but as a previous poster mentioned It beats the alternative.

[uga0466]

I must say there is a certain feeling of "somethings missing" when I don't wear my vest. I wear it about 99 percent of the time. As for the other 1 percent...well I'm being ignorant. I think it's just as important for probation officers as it is for law enforcement to wear vests and remain armed

[nhleo]

I work primarily in the summer & i'm outdoors the entire time. It usually reaches high 90's so with a vest it gets brutal. Nonetheless I wouldn't even think twice about not wearing it.

[SkepticAlways]

My panels just expired. I was looking at the order form, the instructions for taking measurements. It had a section that asked how much of a gap you wanted along the sides. I about sh*t a gold brick. A GAP! Who the F wants a gap along the side?! Overlap, overlap is what I'd like, not a gap.

My current vest has about 1" of overlap. I don't want a gap. Does anyone actually get their vest with a gap? Intentionally?

[blue lion]

My agency gives me a new fitted vest every 5 years. I'm in a state agency, not patrol, but I wear mine any time I think there's a remote chance I'll need it. I don't understand not wearing it. It goes over my shirt and is designed to be worn on the outside.

[11b101abn]

My panels just expired. I was looking at the order form, the instructions for taking measurements. It had a section that asked how much of a gap you wanted along the sides. I about sh*t a gold brick. A GAP! Who the F wants a gap along the side?! Overlap, overlap is what I'd like, not a gap.

My current vest has about 1" of overlap. I don't want a gap. Does anyone actually get their vest with a gap? Intentionally?


Mine has the overlap, and I love it. It makes one look a tad bit thicker on the sides, but I can deal.

The company is called PT armor. I have yet to find a reason to dislike thier equipment, and thier prices are very reasonable as well.

Good gear.

[HINRG]

I have been a state cop for a couple of years now and I just started wearing mine recently. I wear a suit most of the time but I have adjusted my clothing to make my vest more comfortable. I am in an office most of the time but I realized there isn't time to throw my vest on when situations arise. I am still adjusting to the vest but you never know when you may need it.

[BD380]

My agency requires everyone to wear it.

On a side note, does anyone know if this brand is any good? They issue us ABA Xtreme Level IIIA armor. (http://www.americanbodyarmor.com/products/bodyarmor.asp)

[BigHat]

I wear it, I work with several guys who don't. Their reasoning is either weight gain or something along the lines of "it's uncomfortable". To each his own I guess.

[usmcgunnerm4]

My agency requires everyone to wear it.

On a side note, does anyone know if this brand is any good? They issue us ABA Xtreme Level IIIA armor. (http://www.americanbodyarmor.com/products/bodyarmor.asp)

We get the same vest, only it's a level II. I haven't had any problems with it....but I haven't been shot while wearing it either. I know that they are up to snuff with the standards of other more expensive body armor.


+1 my department requires us to wear our vest, unless we are in DT/Baton training.

[azlou]

What! We Are Not Allowed To Work Without Them..remember Shield= Target!! Why Would You Want To Risk It?

[Phelan]

I wear my vest every day, too.


*humor on* When I came home and there is a bad atmosphere I change to my anti-riot Equipment (flying cups and other nice things):D*humor off*

[Vtfuzz]

Don't feel bad, our Probation/Parole Officers don't get vests or guns...just a set of handcuffs and pepper spray.

[gsoslysox]

I wear my vest daily, without fail.

[sigcopper]

Wear it! Saved my butt in a bad crash. If it weren't for the vest I'm sure I would have had more severe injuries.

[Woofdog]

"Bullet proof" vests...

...aren't.

But wear one anyway.

[Howler04]

I wear mine every time I go on the street, without fail. Not to mention that my department requires it.

I also keep a spare in the trunk of my POV. Never know when it's going to hit the fan. Our SOP's dictate that if we are off duty and in the city, we must have our radio and sidearm...why not a vest. You never know.

Stay Safe!

[nebraska_deputy]

This subject came up a while back. I will admit I'm bad about wearing my vest 100% of the time, but I do wear it most of the time. I think my main problem is I seem to breakout a lot in a few areas and it seems as if I have some kind of reaction towards it. Does anyone else have this problem? I have been thinking of trying the T-shirt vest to see if that will change the problem I'm having. The only thing about them is the ones I have found are over $50. a shirt.

[usmcrob]

Wore a 20lb level IV in Iraq, in 152* heat, why the heck would I not wear a 4lb soft level IIIA... never even put on the uniform unless the vest is on first. One, it's policy, two, the uniform is a HUGE target, and three, I plan on going home every night and I'm gonna do whatever the hell I have to in order to acomplish that. No vest = laziness (if provided for you, if you don't have one, find a way to get one)

[Syphon]

I agree with the feeling naked without it. I worked a day inisde the jail once and since I was going to be in there for the full day I didn't wear the vest. It felt so weird without it.

In my department I do not think I have found anyone that does not wear one that works on the road. Our agency is very good about keeping our armor up to date. All vests are fitted and issued brand new to the deputies. When they get close to expiring they get new ones for us.

If you are not in a office all day...I do not see why you would not wear a vest on duty. I am in Florida. It gets frickin hot out but I will suffer the heat rather than go without it.

[pyxie]

I was once was young and dumb and would cry because it was 99 out with max humidity and i'd make the excuse its on the seat. I wised up wore the vest and took a bullet. Although, I took a hit other than in my vest it was too close to not have it on. If the uniform goes on so does the vest then the gun no exceptions. Its like playing russian roulette not wearing a vest.

[Guams]

I was once was young and dumb and would cry because it was 99 out with max humidity and i'd make the excuse its on the seat. I wised up wore the vest and took a bullet. Although, I took a hit other than in my vest it was too close to not have it on. If the uniform goes on so does the vest then the gun no exceptions. Its like playing russian roulette not wearing a vest.

I haven't seen you post in quite some time pyxie. Have you been able to/want to get back on the road? I don't remember ever seeing anything confirming my curiosity. :)

As for the OP... I always wear my vest... no exceptions. I felt naked as a skinned cat the one day I forgot my vest. Needless to say, I didn't do much that day. It didn't even fit, it was quite large... but I made it work. I'll never work without a vest... never.

[Rohan]

I try to wear one all the time. But sometimes when I'm in my office for long periods I take it off because I don't wear a gunbelt when I'm at my desk and it just fits funny without the belt. But all our guys are required to wear themn on the road.

[bleedgreen50]

I know guys that only wear it when they think they need it. Big mistake. I have a few buddies I work with that were in accidents that should have killed them.The vest saved thier lives. Its funny how you need it when you least expect it.
By the way, I am required to hike to perform my duties. I have hiked over 5 miles in 110 degree heat - still wearing my vest. (not fun)

[DOAcop38]

I was once was young and dumb and would cry because it was 99 out with max humidity and i'd make the excuse its on the seat. I wised up wore the vest and took a bullet. Although, I took a hit other than in my vest it was too close to not have it on. If the uniform goes on so does the vest then the gun no exceptions. Its like playing russian roulette not wearing a vest.

Glad to see you posting again !! thanks for DETAILING WHY you need that body armor.It doesn't work all the time,but even 80% of the time is better than trying to patrol without it and LOSING the "fight".I get soo sick of guys making excuses for NOT wearing it ( its too uncomfortable,I can't move as fast,nothing ever happens where I patrol,It doesn't protect your head-so why wear it ?) ..............

[scuba4321]

Every shift I wear my vest.

[Fatty Matty]

I wear mine every time my uniform is on. Even when I'm off-duty and just putting my uniform on to go to court.

[cpd169]

I wear mine every time my uniform is on. Even when I'm off-duty and just putting my uniform on to go to court.

Me too.

[deputynooch]

+1 to all who wear it when the uniform goes on. Off duty or on it doesnt matter, wear your vest!

[Texas_Narc]

+1 to all who wear it when the uniform goes on. Off duty or on it doesnt matter, wear your vest!

Count me as a "non-conformist". I don't wear my vest off duty.

[rgv_cop]

Everyday no matter what the weather is like. Never know what can happen, no calling time out to put on the vest.
The only thing I wish our dept would allow us to do is let us wear an exterior carrier if we are going to be at the office the majority of the day.

[11b101abn]

Count me as a "non-conformist". I don't wear my vest off duty.

I think he was referring to side jobs, court and all that. Still in uniform but not "on the clock" so to speak.

[car2back]

I consider mine a part of my uniform. Same as putting my pants on, never leave home without either! :D

[cocoa25]

Always Wear Mine, Bought A Coolcop To Use In The Winter/summer
Be Safe All

[bulmer1]

Always wear mine... you just never know and considereing I work near NO, LA... you always got to be alert!

[Shaidon]

Not wearing my vest is like going to work without my gun, cuffs, or radio. My vest is a necessary part of the uniform I need to have to perform my job. There's no way I'm not coming home to my wife just because it was "too hot".

[nebraska_deputy]

My department refuses to pay for one...even though its in my contract.

Have you tried the "We car foundation?" If for some reason your department can't afford vest they will give members of your department free vests. The vest are level two Safari Land vest. Each officer who request a vest will have to write a letter on department head asking for a vest. I think it's once a week or once a day they pick an officer to give the vest too. There is no catch for getting the vest they just require you be a LEO.

The company does including with the vest a letter ask you to use their credit card, but your not required to get their card. If this is something your interested in I think I still have the email with the information. The last time this came up I had over 20 emails asking for the information. I'm not sure if anyone got a vest or not, but I hope the information I gave them helped.

[kbucktis]

I wear mine every shift, every day. If I'm in uniform or doing police work, I',m wearing it. You get used to it and then you feel lost with out it. I'd rather be hot and sweaty than caught up in some stuff without it. You owe it to yourself and your family to wear it every time. No exceptions!

[RR_Security]

Note to the OP: If you're armed when you're working, then every time you deal with a "client," regardless of location, there's at least one gun involved. That's why I'd suggest something rated to stop (at least) your own carry rounds, and protect against contact shots.
Too many officers have been killed with their own sidearms. I saw a post somewhere else today that said a certain percentage of officers killed received at least one contact shot.

You may never need your vest, but if you do, you'll need it badly.

[MrHappy]

Even in the land of the gun free (j/k) I wear a ballistic (I am told 9mm and .357 proof) and a stab/slash resistant overt vest. I would'nt dream of going outside the police station not wearing it and I am required to wear it 24/7 whenever on duty, sometimes however if I am inside just doing paperwork I will take it off as its not the most comfortable but it goes straight back on after.

Oddly enough the only officers that don't wear it routinely are our firearms officers, as they sit in an armoured patrol car all day which is protected for 7.62mm rifle rounds, If they are deployed however they must put the vest on - if they come across a situation with no time to put the vest on they use the car as cover as its armoured.

[psotyrone]

even before the eye opening experience i always wore my vest. i got deployed to afghanistan back in 03 for nine months. one clear night a crackle in the radio, a LTC was hit. a rescue party and two prisoners later the LTC was on his way to the hospital. he took five ak rounds to the chest. i saw the xray of the front ceramic plate. five rounds center mass, LTC sore ribs. nothing else. i am even more a believer than ever.

[warrior_oh58d]

i purchased my own vest when i started working armed security a few years back...and wore it every single day, even if i wasn't at an armed site. still work for the same company, just switched to the law enforcement division and i still wear my vest every single day at work. i also have a plate carrier with rifle plates inside for "high threat" work.

[Defender77]

Yes I wear mine every day and I sometimes get a slight rash near the top of my chest.

Bleah.

But I still wear it and even add a little "extra" protection. Even if it makes things heavier. ;)

[Rych]

Here in New Zealand if you're not wearing a vest, health and safely can fine you $500. I would hate to be doing the job without one.

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/tenone/20061013-290/feature-srba.htm

[Bushranger]

-1

The majority of LEOs I've worked with or seen working do not wear a vest. The amount of LEOs in Queensland who I know that do wear ballistic vests when working can be counted on one hand - I am not including specialist sections like SERT (your SWAT). Those that I know who do wear vests, have obtained approval to purchase their own and those LEOs use the style that can be worn under a shirt (no ballistic plate).

We carry a vest, with plate, in the car when working and wear them when the situation requires them to be worn.

I, like many others, do not feel the need to wear ballistic vests because firearm ownership is regarded as a privilege, not a right and there are strict controls on firearm ownership and use. Those controls in turn restrict the quantity of weapons "out there".

We don't have a constitutional right to bear arms like you do and that works in our favour. Sure, the grubs will always have access to illegal firearms but that access is quite restricted. It has been very difficult to obtain a license to own a high powered, semi automatic rifle for some time now (10+yrs). Civilian ownership of military style semi autos have been banned and the various states over here conducted buy-backs of those weapons before they were banned or the ownership was restricted. Those buy-backs vastly reduced the amount of available firearms.

[SCLEO]

ALWAYS wear a vest. Youre life may depend on it. Yes, it's uncomfortable but it beats the alternative.

[QPDStarr]

I will always wear mine. Especially since my partner was shot 9 times last year, before I became a LEO. He's now back and starting in a week we work the night shift together, he currently works the swing shift on my crew so I work with him for a few hours right now.

[gsoslysox]

I always wear my vest. I am not going to take any more chances than I need to. I feel naked if I do not wear mine.

[fedguy889]

When doing desk work, no I dont wear it, but once i go out for something I put it on

[Defender77]

I always make it a point to wear the vest, anytime the uniform goes on.

The uniform is like a big target.

Especially at the police station, we had a drug addict with mental issues camped near our station a while back and he was there for who knows how long until someone spotted him.

[jchughes05]

I wear it whenever I am in uniform. Off duty, no.

[yooper_fi]

Even when I know I'm going to be stuck in the office all day, I still wear mine. In this line of work, we don't often go out looking for trouble but it tends to come looking for us.

[Red Swan]

where it all time during duty...during long distance prisoner transports i do sometimes 100+miles I make sure to still have it with, but laying in the passenger seat.

[copper21911]

Back when I was in the army I didn't wear mine once. A few hours into the shift my partner's wife pulled up with her boyfriend. I had the prestige of getting my partner's gun from him that night before he shot them. That night was definitely a box of chochlates night.

[RangerSki]

Vests are GOOD! ;)

[jchristanner]

Much easier question: Who doesn't wear a bullet resistant vest?? On duty and hunting bad guys?? Wear the vest..period.

[thatboatguy]

I wear my vest every single shift... Every Day.. No matter what... Im my Military LEO days I assisted a Civilian DOD Officer who had 4 males stopped in a dark part of the base. As the MWD (K-9 Handler on the shift) I arrived and as soon as we pulled the driver out.. yikes theres a .38 hammer back under his leg.. After Placing him in custody he said man I was about to blast that dude till I saw you and the dog... Moral is the DOD Cop wasnt wearing his vest he thought "Aww its a miltiary base.." you never know... Wear it every day....

[tutt101]

We're luckly, we wear tactical type vests, outside the uniform. Off or on in seconds. I wear it anytime I'm out patroling but when I'm in the station it comes off frequantly!

[rookie2006]

Every day all 12 hours. Sweat and pain and all. But no bullet holes.

[btwnordernchaos]

There's no excuses...Central AZ dead of summer 120+ degrees, wearing vest conducting traffic control on blacktop with my boots leaving impressions in the roadway because it's melting!!! NO EXCUSES!

[RR_Security]

Even when I know I'm going to be stuck in the office all day, I still wear mine. In this line of work, we don't often go out looking for trouble but it tends to come looking for us.
Yep. This post reminded me of when a nutcase came into the station in my old town in MA and stabbed one of the officers. The officer survived, and later became chief in a nearby town, but he was in pretty bad shape for awhile.
That was back before departments started buying vests, and some stations (like ours) didn't have locked doors and bullet-resistant glass between walk-ins and the desk officer.

[sgtbambam]

I can't put my uniform on without my vest. Doesn't feel right!

[cpd169]

I always wear mine on-duty too, not wearing it would be like not wearing my duty belt (and everything on it) and not carrying a radio. As George H.W. Bush would say, "It just wouldn't be prudent."

[Nucmed]

Good web site called bulletproofME.com. Good selection of vests available. I bought a brand new police surplus overun Safari Land Level II NIJ-03, MFG in 8/28/07. My size is a medium short. Fits like a glove. Very reasonable price of $330 and that was with an additional soft kevlar insert. Our dept requires all patrol to wear vests and the ones available didn't fit me as all were large. Vests need to be fitted if they are to be comfortable. One size does not fit all and I figure I'm worth a few hundred bucks.

[Razor1184]

Ive never heard of a bullet proof vest. they make those?!?! i have a level IIIA "bullet slower-downer" that is way too F**KING SMALL for my torsoe. ...and where i work you sure as sh*t better be wearing your "bullet slower-downer" cuz they dont care about the "PO-LICE"
p.s. i would always wears it. you cant see into the future, so be ready for anything!

[Lawenforcer72]

hey you could always by that new fangled invention that was on the front page of officer at one time. You hook up this hose to your air conditioner and you shove it down the top of ur shirt under ur vest! no sweat! haha except u have this big *** tube coming out of ur air vent

[p_jenkins]

I wear mine all the time...no exceptions.

[dark horse]

If im on duty my vest is on. However there are some officers that ride around with their vests on the seat beside them. They tell me they will put it on if they feel they need it.

[RR_Security]

[T]here are some officers that ride around with their vests on the seat beside them. They tell me they will put it on if they feel they need it.Heh. Y'know, anybody who can predict the future that well should be in a more lucrative line of work. Maybe predicting the next big winner at Suffolk Downs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_Downs). :p

[copman817]

Its part of my uniform and Ill never work a shift without it. Uncomfortable and hot-yes but it does provide a place to secure my backup holster. So the benefits of wearing it are not altogether intangible.

[cpd366]

I would give anything to have a vest! I cannot even get my dept to apply for federal matching money grants.They dont even want to buy uniforms for us. The officers that I work with and myself have looked for funding everywhere. We have went to council and the mayor with no luck. They have the money but we are not important enough, Its sad but its gonna take something bad to happen before they do anything to help us.

[just joe]

Well, I suggest you buy your own. Galls has some relatively inexpensive vests.

[RR_Security]

We have went to council and the mayor with no luck. They have the money but we are not important enough, Its sad but its gonna take something bad to happen before they do anything to help us.Some elected officials are the embodiment of the saying "No job is too tough for somebody who doesn't have to do that job." :mad:

There may also be some non-government grants you could apply for. I tried Googling for one, but all I saw was the Federal stuff, and a few about the National We Care Foundation. Their Web site seems to have "gone away." I didn't search much beyond the first few pages of results; somebody else might have better finds.

I wonder if a case could be made under the OSHA "general duty clause."
Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.
I know, it's police work, and they can't "furnish employment free from recognized hazards." But they could at least make an effort to mitigate the hazards.

[just joe]

I believe there is case law stating OSHA does not apply to departments being required to issue vests. The court recognizes that there is an inherent danger in police work and firefighting. What the clause means is that your PD can't have toxic mold in the locker room of a PD that the building inspector has condemned.

The Princeton Univ Police (unarmed) asked OSHA to rule that they should be armed because it was a workplace safety issue. OSHA said it was not an OSHA issue and that the university did not have to arm its police.

[RR_Security]

I believe there is case law stating OSHA does not apply to departments being required to issue vests.Yeah, I figured there'd be something like that going on.

The court recognizes that there is an inherent danger in police work and firefighting.In a way, that's nice of 'em, as long as it doesn't lead to an "And we can't do anything about that" attitude. Again, anyone with any sense knows the dangers, but it might be nice if the politicians did something to reduce the likelihood of an officer being killed or disabled. Oh, okay, I did use the word "politicians" in there, didn't I? Never mind. :rolleyes:

I guess I was just looking for something that might apply some leverage to the elected officials/self-appointed penny-pinchers. In my state, we have a whole chapter about minimum safety standards for firefighters, including one section about equipment and clothing. Part of it reads "The fire department shall provide each firefighter with the appropriate equipment to protect the firefighter from the hazards of the work environment to which the firefighter is likely to be exposed. The firefighter shall use the protective equipment whenever exposed to the hazards for which that equipment is provided." It specifies the components, including SCBA and PASS, then makes references to OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, and NFPA for performance requirements.

Under the motor vehicle statutes, "a public safety traffic flagger shall wear a reflective traffic vest or protective clothing as defined by Title 26, section 2103." (The one mentioned above.)

It seems like cops have a duty to the rest of the community, but no one feels any duty to the cops. :mad: {rant over}

Maybe some local reporter will write a story that shames the pols in CPD336's jurisdiction into squeezing out some buck$. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/Doug_C_Maine/Smileycons/fishwhack.gif

[stjones56@yahoo]

I agree with all but my last deaprtment I was reprimanded and had complaints by the citizens because I wore mine. Mind you they didn't even purchase it but were amazed that I wore one

[RR_Security]

I agree with all but my last deaprtment I was reprimanded and had complaints by the citizens because I wore mine.
:eek: Y.H.G.T.B.S.U. (First word is "you," last is "us." Further translations by PM.) :(

Unless you were wearing some kind of stegosaurus-lookin' rig that made little old ladies faint and small children cry, it sounds like you're better off for having left that department. I hope their entire populace isn't whinebags like whoever complained about it. :rolleyes:

[11b101abn]

I agree with all but my last deaprtment I was reprimanded and had complaints by the citizens because I wore mine. Mind you they didn't even purchase it but were amazed that I wore one

Your last Department was substandard, obviously. I care little enough that I would have told "them" to eat sh**, and that I would not stop wearing it. What are threy gonna do? Fire you for wearing armor? That would have been a real payday.

[FutureGSP]

I don't wear a bullet proof vest when on duty, I wear a bullet resistant vest. If it was bullet proof it's stop all bullets, which they don't!

[Sharpe103]

I went without a bullet resistant vest one day. Thought I was going to get shot with a shotgun while serving an arrest warrant. Don't even think about it anymore. It never even crosses my mind not to wear one. Never.

[Gsmitty01]

Wearing an arnored vest is an option for most agencies. Certain divisions are more vulnerable than others i.e. Fugitive Warrants, Patrol, SWAT, etc. - and if you are assigned any of these, it is foolish not to wear one. Afterall, 8 to 12 hours of discomfort pales in comparison to a lifetime of discomfort as the result of a GSW, etc. Don't let complacency, arrogance or Ego claim you victim. ... Just a thought.

[GACop922]

My first day on the streets, I hadn't been issued a vest yet and brought this up to my FTO. She told me that we would get it handled when the chief came in (about an hour later than it was at the time). 10 minute later we were running a panick alarm at one of the banks. I made her drop me off at the station until the chief got in after that one. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go out in a uniform without the vest on. Period.

[NVJayT]

My Pennyslvania Dept doesn't pay for them, and I'll definitely buy my own if I have to, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any places to get a grant or some type of funds to help pay for a new vest?