Law enforcement

New vests offer better protection to law enforcement officers

The production and manufacturing of AR-15-type semi-automatic rifles being up 200 percent since 2004 and the recent targeting of police officers in America are just a couple reasons why agencies are trying to get ahead of the threat. 

The type of vests officers wear on a day-to-day basis when they are responding to calls is pretty lightweight. But if they need that added layer of protection they can grab what’s now being called the active shooter kit. They can easily keep it in the back of their trunk or in the front of their car, and it’s accessible.

“The actual ballistic shield itself can be made out of a few different things," Smith said. "You’ve got the steel plates, ceramic plates, polymer plates -- the durability is going to vary in those and that’s all considerations that administrations will take into account, on cost as opposed to the effectiveness and the life expectancy of one of these pieces.”

It’s a big difference from what members of a SWAT team or military wear. The vest is about 70 pounds and includes medical kits, water and extra ammunition. It also has plates along the shoulders and neck, but is not exactly feasible to wear for long periods of time. And those who do wear them go through extensive physical training.