NIJ Sets Standards with Office of Law Enforcement Standards

• NCJ Number: 211607
• Author(s): Thomas J. Russell; Kirk D. Rice
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Issue Overview

Annotation

This report provides an overview of the work of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), to develop standards and test protocols for correctional and law enforcement equipment.

Abstract

As part of the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ’s) overall Law Enforcement and Corrections Standards and Testing Program, OLES has worked for the past 29 years on establishing standards and testing protocols, as well as conducting equipment testing and results publications. OLES applies science and technology to assist corrections and law enforcement administrators in procuring high-quality resources. During its 29 years, OLES has published more than 200 standards, guides, and technical reports focusing on a wide range of safety issues, such as emergency vehicle warning systems, police protective clothing, intrusion alarm systems, and metal detection systems. A description is offered of how standards are developed by OLES and used by the corrections and law enforcement industries. A case example illustrates how the soon-to-be-published stab-resistant body armor standard was developed by OLES. Contact information for OLES is presented for those seeking additional information.