Category: Tactical plate carrier

Each day, scores of police officers are tasked with protecting the citizens of the United States and upholding the country’s laws. According to 2008 data, state and local law enforcement agencies employed more than 1.1 people full-time, including more than 750,000 sworn personnel.

But such an important job is not without risks and just as they are tasked with upholding the law every day, officers put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis. According to police data collected over the last decade, there have been nearly 60,000 assaults on police officers.

Not only have there been assaults, but many officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. FBI data shows that 66 law enforcement officers were criminally killed in the line of duty in 2016. Of those 66, 62 were assaulted with firearms. Additionally, FBI records indicate that law enforcement officers were feloniously killed with their own weapon in the last 10 years.

To combat the threats against them, body armor has been Read more: “How Reactive Targets Can Benefit Law Enforcement”

According to reports by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), safety equipment for law enforcement agents and other public safety professionals is an important element in police safety . The reports also indicate that, in the past three decades, ballistic body armor vests have protected the lives of more than 3,000 police officers. For this reason, body armor is regarded as the most critical safety equipment in the line of duty.

There are different kinds of threats that police agents are exposed to,
but also, there are a number of tactical body armor that fit their roles perfectly. Depending on specific duty calls a police officer is tasked with, threats can vary based on the type of weapon common in that area. For instance, you will normally find a patrol officer wearing a ballistic body armor such as a bullet proof vest. This is because the kind of threat in that line of work often involves guns and ammunitions. On the other hand, prison guards are exposed to threats from weapons such as needles, screwdrivers, broken glass and knives, and that’s why they wear stab-resistant vests.

Although both patrol and correctional officers are exposed to different threat levels, it’s important that they consider multi-threat body armor that can protect them against different kind of threats. So, when thinking of investing on tactical body armor, there are obvious factors you need to look at. However, before you start on pricing and quotations, it’s very crucial to understand the different levels of body armor.

There are 6 levels and with this layering system, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on the best tactical gear body armor for you. As the level advances, protection level, complexity, weight and bulkiness increase. With level I offering limited protection and higher protection is attained at level VII.
Level I
In this level, tactical body armor is worn next-to-skin and it’s designed with a dry fabric that absorbs moisture. The material making this body gear is lightweight and often it consists of a top, either long-sleeve or crew-neck t-shirt, and pants. However, the minimal weight level I armor is a sacrifice to maximum protection and it’s not suitable where threat levels are high.

Level IIA
Level IIa body armors are mainly worn covertly and have most of the features in level I tactical body armor. They are made from a silk weight power dry material that controls skin moisture. In addition, they are inserted with panels for perfect fit and maximum flexibility. This level of body armor is ideal for full-time as they are more comfortable than the level I police gear. On top of that, they also offer protection from small arms ammunitions.

Level II
While level II body armor protects against the same threat in level IIa, it’s uniquely designed to offer more protection against high-velocity ammunition. The armor features an insulative mid-layer jacket with good breathability. Typically, they are heavier than the other two levels due to additional insulative layer that makes it ideal for extreme cold. In mild temperatures, level II body armor can be worn overtly on top of other tactical gear.

Level IIIA
If you are looking for protection against most handguns threats, level IIIa provides that and much more. This concealable body armor is made from a microfiber that is breathable while it also repels water. Ideal for routine wear, this body armor is also designed to be worn next-to-skin. However, it has added weight and bulkiness as compared to other levels of protection.

Level III
Of all the levels above, this is the only body armor that is made using a hard plate with soft shell fabric for maximum protection strong ammunitions. The fiber which makes the soft armor is both windproof and stretchable. In addition, it has a strong capacity to absorb impacts caused by rifle rounds and reduce the chance of injury to the wearer.

Level IV
Just like level III, level IV is a strong tactical body armor that protects the wearer from all level I through level threats. Currently, this is the most commonly used body armor but due to the heavy ceramic material that makes it, it’s not ideal for routine duties.

With this knowledge at your disposal, you are now informed to pick the right piece of equipment.