Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
for generally shorter periods of time, you can obtain a product of heavier
construction that is better suited to withstand multiple impacts and blunt
trauma. The same is true if you are a reporter covering the news during
a war or in dangerous situations. One caveat, however: Just because a vest
has a tactical design does not mean that it also has a tactically adequate
ballistic package under the impressive looking exterior. Several years ago,
the DEA purchased $400,000 worth of tactical vests for its clandestine lab
units. They were purchased in complete reliance on their NIJ rating and
were not tested independently. David, who had just finished research and
development on a more demanding test standard that reflected real-world
needs, decided to shoot these new vests according to that new protocol.
The vests were impressive looking, level IIIA-rated tactical armor. During
the testing process, several rounds penetrated the armor, so the vest failed
the test. A retest, requested by management, also resulted in failure, and
the vests could not be issued to agency personnel. This was an expensive
lesson. The vests sat in storage for a few years and were ultimately distrib-
uted to local law enforcement agencies with the notice that they had failed
the more stringent DEA test parameters.
These purchasing problems are not confined to the Department of
Justice. A major department in New York State purchased extremely light-
weight vests for its officers without testing. Subsequent to the purchase,
the DEA was contacted and asked to provide the testing data relative to
this vest. Unfortunately, the DEA had rejected this particular vest after it
failed during two separate trials. The vests are now being worn by thou-
sands of uniformed and plainclothes police officers. The time to evaluate
a vest's performance level is before procurement. Set standards for SBA
and then test to see if a particular vest measures up. For the corporate
user, this will not be an easy task. An executive at risk is not in a position
to conduct ballistic tests on body armor. It will, therefore, be necessary to
talk to an expert in the field in order to identify the appropriate SBA for
the circumstances.
DETERMINING YOUR SOFT BODY ARMOR REQUIREMENTS
How should standards be established? The first step is to determine the
threat that you are facing. For law enforcement officers, the best approach
is to look at what the trend has been in law enforcement over the last
decade. The best source of this type of information is the Uniform Crime
