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Body Armor

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Buying armor? Be sure to review the compliant products list for ballistic resistant body armor.

Body Armor Saves Lives. Wear It. NIJ Poster
Give your agency critical info they need concerning law enforcement body armor, including where to check for NIJ compliance certification and essential pointers for the proper upkeep of body armor. Learn more and download.

Firearms are one of the most dangerous threats faced by law enforcement officers in the United States. During the past three decades, ballistic-resistant soft body armor has saved the lives of more than 3,000 police officers. Body armor is critical safety equipment that law enforcement and corrections officers need for personal protection.

NIJ establishes and updates voluntary minimum performance standards for body armor, conducts testing against these standards to ensure that body armor complies with the standards, and sponsors research to improve body armor.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to body armor.

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illustration of body armor
NIJ (see reuse policy).

Find Ballistic Resistant Armor

NIJ Standard-0101.06 establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armor intended to protect against gunfire.

View a list of compliant armor.
Body armor vest
Justice Technology Information Center (see reuse policy).

Find Stab/Slash Resistant Amor

NIJ Standard-0115.00  establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for the stab resistance of personal body armor intended to protect the torso against slash and stab threats.

View a list of compliant stab/slash resistant armor.