There’s no doubt that body armor for police is an incredibly important invention. In fact, statistics gathered since 1978 have found that 78 police officers in New York City alone have had their lives saved by body armor. One study found that chance of death from a gunshot torso wound is 3.4 times more likely for those not wearing armor. Considering that, it’s important your officers are able to remain properly protected while doing their jobs. In this post, you’ll learn more about the various types of police protective gear available.
Types of Police Protective Gear
It’s understandable to feel slightly confused regarding which types of police gear to use. You’ll want to ensure that your officers are equipped with the right types of protective gear. In fact, 20% of police officers who passed away from a gunshot wound to the torso who wore armor were equipped with inefficient protection. To put it simply, the armor they were wearing wasn’t as strong as the ammunition they were shot with. That being said, this problem can be avoided by protecting your officers with the right type of protective equipment. There is a wide range of types, styles, and sizes of police protective gear available. With that in mind, here are the similarities and differences between three popular types of protective gear worn by law enforcement.
Tactical Body Armor
There is a wide range of tactical body armor available. As you know, certain types of body armor can become quite heavy over time. In the field of law enforcement, many officers need to be able to carry a low amount of weight while chasing suspects. Considering that, you’ll find that this type of armor allows someone to move easily while remaining protected. Ballistic body armor is typically made from softer materials which are lightweight yet offer immense amounts of protection.
Body Armor Plates
In other situations, officers utilize ballistic body armor plates. These plates allow officers to have protection in important areas while being able to remain extremely flexible. It’s also common to hear these items referred to as trauma plates. These items are often made of a mixture of items including resins, metals, plastics, fabrics and other materials.
Bulletproof Vests
Another type of ballistic body armor is the bulletproof vest. Throughout many decades, bulletproof vests have been worn daily by police officers across the United States. That being said, there are several types of bulletproof vests. For instance, certain vests offer maximum protection for knife attacks while others are better suited against bullets.
In conclusion, there are several types of protective gear worn by law enforcement throughout the nation. Regardless of which type of body armor you’re providing to a department, it’s important to make these purchases from a reliable supplier. In turn, you can rest assured that you’ll receive your police protective gear in a fast and efficient manner.
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