A Buyer's Guide to Bullet Proof Vests and Armor Plate Carriers
Police officers must be protected at all times. They never know when immediate danger can strike. Police officers must treat every situation with caution and always remember safety first. Officers need quality materials so that they can be protected while on duty.
To protect themselves, police officers wear bullet proof vests and body armor. Bullet proof vests keep bullets from penetrating the torso. Armor help protect officers from sharp objects and hard impact. Bullet vests offer different levels of protection, so police must decide what type they need before purchasing one.
Both SWAT and patrol officers wear bullet proof vests. Even those who are security personnel need bullet proof vests too. Anybody who could be wounded from a gunshot should be protected.
One thing that an officer should consider before buying a vest is its weight. It is ideal to have it be lightweight and concealable. A vest is worn under clothing and it must not be obvious to others. While the vest may be light, it may not offer as much protection. For better protection against high-caliber guns, policemen should consider a tactical vest. A tactical vest is designed with a thick fiber known as Kevlar. It also has built in ceramic armor plates for added protection.
Officers should always make sure that both the vests and police equipment body armor fit well before the final purchase. Sometimes policemen have to run or even fight, and everything must fit comfortably so that they are able to move as needed. The same goes with armor. Make sure that it is not too heavy nor too light in order to offer the best protection. All officers should avoid trying to wear vests that are too large or too tight. Keep in mind that most manufacturers only make vests in standard sizes. Specially-made vests usually cannot be purchased online.
Most squads have a budget in mind, so different types of quality will cost more than others. Vests and armor with more layers will cost more. If your squad doesn't have a large budget, there are some dealers that do sell used vests or armor.
While money can be an issue, the protection is the first priority for any squad. All officers should be protected no matter where or when they are on duty.
