NCJ Number
65748
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 24,26-30,32
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
NEW KINDS OF BODY ARMOR AFFORDING MORE PROTECTION ARE NEEDED BY THE POLICE AS THEIR PROTECTION NEEDS CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE EVERY MORE BRUTAL AND DANGEROUS CRIMINAL ENVIRONMENT.
Abstract
THE INCREASE OF TERRORISM AND BOMBINGS HAS SPURRED POLICE INTEREST IN BETTER BODY ARMOR. BODY ARMOR MUST PROTECT POLICE FROM WHAT THEY CAN REASONABLY EXPECT IN A SITUATION, WHILE PERMITTING UNENCUMBERED PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING. POPULAR, LIGHT, UNDER-THE-SHIRT ARMOR VESTS DO PERMIT EASY MOVEMENT, BUT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROTECT IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING TERRORISTS AND UNUSUAL OR HIGH POWERED WEAPONS. SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TRAINING (SWAT) UNITS SHOULD USE TORSO ARMOR ABLE TO DEFEAT MULTIPLE VOLLEYS OF HIGH-CALIBER AMMUNITION AND MODIFIABLE FOR HIGH OR LOW PROTECTION. SWAT OBSERVERS AND MARKSMEN WILL NEED LESS ARMOR, WHILE SWAT SCOUTS AND ENTRY TEAMS WILL NEED HARE ARMOR VESTS, HELMETS, AND FACE SHIELDS. OTHER USEFUL ARMOR INCLUDES VESTS WITH REMOVABLE ARMOR PLATES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS, AND PORTABLE BODY SHIELDS. UNFORTUNATELY, ARMOR RECEIVES LITTLE ATTENTION FROM RIOT AND CROWD CONTROL UNITS; THE MAIN THREAT IN RIOTS COMES FROM HAND-THROWN MISSILES. BOMB DISPOSAL UNITS, HOWEVER, REQUIRE FULL BODY COVERAGE ARMOR PROOF AGAINST FRAGMENTATION AND BLAST EFFECTS. ALL SWAT, RIOT CONTROL, AND BOMB DISPOSAL UNITS SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED IN USING BODY ARMOR. DIRECTIONS FOR MANUFACTURERS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC ITEMS OF CLOTHING ARE PROVIDED. PICTURES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)