Outer vest carriers are a solution to a number of different problems all at once. Being not only subtle, but also easy to maintain and effective, vest carriers can be exactly what a police department needs in order to best do their duty with as little needless disruption and as much safety as possible. They serve to both avoid escalating dangerous situations and protect the wearer if the situation escalates regardless, and they do so in a number of ways.The first thing to understand about an outer vest carrier is exactly what one is. Essentially, a carrier is a shell or an overlay that is placed over external body armor, like an armored vest. Part of the reason for this is that in an increasingly violent world, it's even more important for police to be always prepared for the worst. However, we also live in a world where politics and optics play a major role in how law enforcement can do its job, especially with the internet, and the appearance of being over-militarized can cause major problems. A proper vest carrier makes standard tactical vests look more like shirts, decreasing the aggressive appearance of police that might cause criminals to get more violent while simultaneously keeping them from unnecessary injury if things go poorly.It's easy to maintain a good outer vest carrier. Outer vest carriers usually come with extra internal pockets for the purpose of inserting additional ballistic plating, not only making it safer than before, but decreasing the need to perform more difficult maintenance on tactical vests themselves. They can usually be washed like regular clothing once the ballistic plating is removed, and are typically strong enough to stay in good shape even after heavy use. Part of the objective is to ensure safety while maintaining a professional appearance, and that professional appearance can be undermined just as much, though in a different way, by the impression of sloppiness as it can by the look of being highly militant and threatening.
Perhaps most importantly, an outer vest carrier can be incredibly effective. Look and maintenance mean nothing if it doesn't actually work to limit shooting injury. That's why it's so important to make sure to get a high quality vest carrier, and not settle for cheaper ones. It can literally mean an officer's life. That being said, vest carriers can have benefits other than keeping somebody alive. Some of them actually promote good back and hip health by providing necessary support to the person wearing them. They also can reduce the heat and discomfort experienced by other armor systems that are designed to go under clothing or are otherwise "hidden". Officers who are comfortable and in good shape are more likely to be able to do their jobs safely and without causing or incurring injury.
There are a number of reasons why having a vest carrier is a good idea, but the last is perhaps the best of them. Those who serve us in our police departments should have the absolute finest protection that leaves them able to do their jobs effectively. Often that means thinking of different ways to approach the same problem. That's why a good vest carrier is more than just a way to hide safety gear, it's also a way to improve it.
