425 Use of Body Armor (Issued 04-01-2011)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER:
GENERAL ORDER April 1, 2011 425
SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION:
Use of Body Armor New Green
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this General Order is to provide Department personnel with
guidelines for the proper use and care of body armor. The portion mandating the
wearing of body armor is a specific requirement of the Bureau of Justice
Assistance for agencies receiving Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program
funding beginning in FY 2011.
II. POLICY
It is the policy of this law enforcement agency to maximize officer safety through
the use of body armor in combination with prescribed safety procedures. While
body armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a substitute for the
observance of officer safety procedures.
III. DEFINITIONS
Field Activities
Duty assignments and/or tasks that place or could reasonably be expected to place
officers in situations where they would be required to act in enforcement rather
than administrative or support capacities.
IV. PROCEDURES
A. Issuance of Body Armor
1. All body armor issued must comply with protective and related
requirements prescribed under current standards of the National
Institute of Justice.
2. All sworn officers shall be issued agency-approved body armor.
3. Body armor that is worn or damaged shall be replaced by the
agency. Body armor that must be replaced due to misuse or abuse
by the officer shall be paid for by the officer.
B. Use of Body Armor.
1. Officers shall wear only agency-approved body armor.
2. Body armor shall be worn by sworn officers while engaged in field
activities both on duty and during off duty employment unless
exempt as follows:
a. When an agency-approved physician determines that an
officer has a medical condition that would preclude
wearing body armor;
b. When the officer is involved in undercover or plain clothes
work that his/her supervisor determines could be
compromised by wearing body armor; or
c. When the department determines that other circumstances
make it inappropriate to mandate wearing body armor.
C. Inspections of Body Armor
1. Supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring that body armor is
worn and maintained as required by this policy through routine
observation and periodic documented inspections.
a. Inspections shall assess fit, cleanliness, and signs of
damage, abuse and wear.
D. Care, Maintenance and Replacement of Body Armor
1. Officers shall routinely inspect personal body armor for signs of
damage and for general cleanliness.
2. As dirt and perspiration may erode ballistic panels, each officer
shall be responsible for cleaning personal body armor in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Officers are responsible for the proper storage, maintenance and
care of body armor in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Officers are responsible for reporting damage or excessive wear to
the ballistic panels or cover to their supervisor and the individual
responsible for the uniform supply function.
5. Body armor will be replaced in accordance with guidelines and
protocols established by the National Institute of Justice.
E. Efficacy of Body Armor
1. The supervisor responsible for coordination of the Department’s
Firearms Program shall be responsible for:
a. Monitoring technological advances in the body armor
industry that may necessitate a change in body armor.
b. Assessing weapons and ammunition currently in use and
the suitability of approved body armor to protect against
those treats.
c. Provide training programs that demonstrate body armor’s
stopping power under actual firing conditions and that
emphasize its safe and proper use.
d. Maintaining statistics on incidents where armor has or has
not protected officers from harm, including traffic
accidents.