Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor: A Guide to Fit, Wear & Care

• NCJ Number: 251269
• Date Published: October 2017
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-K404
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Instructional Material (Programmed)
• Award: A proposal to operate the National Criminal Justice Technology Resource Center.

Annotation

This 11-minute audiovisual explains and demonstrates the proper ways for police officers to select, fit, and care for their body armor.

Abstract

When selecting the features of one's body armor, the choice should be based on the types of ballistic threats an officer is most likely to face in her/his particular duties. At the very least, the vest should protect an officer from the caliber of her/his own duty weapon in case it is seized and turned on the officer. To ensure that a vest provides the desired protection, it should comply with the standards set by the National Institute of Justice based on its testing of the particular type of vest selected. The fit of the vest is also important, since a number of officers have been injured or killed from shots that entered areas of the torso not covered by the vest due to improper fit. The video explains and visually shows how to measure whether or not a vest properly fits a particular officer's torso. The proper care of the vest is important because deterioration of a vest's properties puts the wearer at greater risk. The care and storage of the vest is described and explained in the video.