Safety Apparel
Summertime in the Bluegrass often brings with it scorching heat and high humidity. For law enforcement officers throughout the state, that usually means after about a half-hour on the job, they are stewing in their own sweat because of the mandatory, life-saving device known as body armor.
Harrodsburg Police Officer Chad Baker knows that struggle all too well.
“If you spend one day wearing the (under-the-uniform) vest in the summer, the body odor will make life rough,” he said.
But that changed in 2014 when Harrodsburg made the switch from covert body armor to overt armor.
Overt body armor is designed to be worn on the outside of the uniform, and provides much-needed breathability and a higher degree of comfort, Baker said.
“With these, you can take it off when you’re inside the police department and cool off,” he added.
Wearing body armor is a vital part of law enforcement. FBI statistics show that officers who wear the vest have a greater chance of surviving a conflict.
The 2016 FBI Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report showed that 66 officers were killed that year during a criminal incident.
- Nearly all of the officers were killed by firearms—62 out of 66
- Sixteen percent of the 62 officers killed by firearms were not wearing body armor
In fatal shootings, 36 percent of officers killed from 2003 to 2012 were not wearing body armor, according to FBI statistics.
Overt body armor comes in different styles, from the uniformed shirt style, which blends into the agency uniform, to a tactical style outer vest, which is what Harrodsburg chose.
Harrodsburg Police Officer Chad Baker said the tactical-style overt vest allows for more customization of equipment carrying and storage while on duty. (Photo by Jim Robertson)
Before making the switch to the tactical style, Harrodsburg interim Police Chief Brian Allen said much thought and research went into the process.
“We like our guys to be happy, comfortable and able to do their job,” Allen said. “Some of the guys mentioned (the overt style) to us, and we looked into it.”
Initially, Allen was concerned that the tactical style would make his officers stand-offish to the public.
“My concern was the public might think we’re a little more militaristic than what we are,” Allen said. “But that hasn’t been the case at all. They’ve accepted it. I’ve heard nothing but positive comments out on the street. I think the public realizes this is a step up from what we used to wear, and I haven’t had one complaint of anyone saying, ‘Well, your officers look like a SEAL team coming in here.’”
The tactical style offers many additional pouches, Velcro and pockets to carry needed items such as flashlights, OC canisters, batons and extra magazines.
“Every officer can customize the vest in terms of where their equipment will be located … it makes it more convenient for them,” Baker said.
The only caveat is the placement of a few items, Allen said.
“They will stop anything short of a high-powered rifle round. The .223 round, the high-powered rifle round, without the metal plate inside, I don’t think anything will stop those. But we do have those plates available to anyone who wants them, and some of them use them.”
“We do have a policy about certain items that officers carry,” Allen said. “The Taser has to be cross-draw or opposite hand, and some of the officers wear those on their vest. We also have a policy about where the badge is to be displayed. Other than that, they can customize however they wish.”
The tactical vest also allows better placement of body cameras, Allen added.
“If you have the Class A or Class B uniform, that body-worn video camera is difficult to locate on those uniforms,” he said. “It (overt vest) provides an opportunity to have that camera mounted in a good spot (gesturing to the center of the vest).”
Aside from comfort and convenience, the most important aspect of any body armor is the safety it provides officers, Allen said.
“(The Harrodsburg vests) will stop anything short of a high-powered rifle round,” Allen said. “The .223 round, the high-powered rifle round, without the metal plate inside, I don’t think anything will stop those. But we do have those plates available to anyone who wants them, and some of them use them.”
An informal question on the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Facebook page showed several agencies throughout the state have opted to use the overt vest. One respondent, Harrison County Sheriff Shain Stephens, said his agency made the transition in 2015 and the end result has been positive.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with the switch, and would recommend it to other agencies,” Stephens said.
“I wore (the covert vest) as a trooper under my shirt for years, and it just wore me out,” he said. “It was hot, and the t-shirt was soaked.”
Prior to making a full switch, Stephens had Harrison County Deputy Nathan Gasser test the overt style for six months, and the deputy said the difference was noticeable right away.
“I wear the vest suspension system, which helps hold up my duty belt, and this is way more comfortable to wear with that system,” Gasser said. “(Overt vests) make you more mobile … it’s less restrictive. If you’re in the office, you can air it out, peel it off and cool down.”
Harrison County opted to go with the uniform-shirt style, which blends into the uniform.
“It blends in so well, that the public rarely notices,” Stephens said.
Vest costs greatly depends on the company and quantity ordered, but Allen and Stephens said overt vests are not a budget breaker.
Harrison County Sheriff Shain Stephens demonstrates the overt vest that blends in to his department's uniform. (Photo by Jim Robertson)
Other Advantages
Visibility is also a subtle advantage to wearing an overt style vest for command staff personnel, Allen said, and Stephens agreed.
“I’m sure most every agency has a policy regarding the mandatory wearing of a vest,” Allen said. “With the under-the-shirt vest, you almost have to walk up and make sure they have it on because they are not comfortable and they’re not convenient, even though you’re required to wear them. With these, it’s part of the visible uniform. Even a citizen will see him (pointing to Baker) and they know he has the vest on.”
After working a 10- or 12-hour shift, Baker said it is nice to simply remove the plates and toss the carrier in the washing machine.
“With our other vests, you couldn’t do that,” he said. “You’d have to wipe them down the best you could.”
According to The Dispatch, other advantages of overt vests come when an officer is injured.
“An outer vest can be more-quickly removed by responding officers or emergency medical personnel for assessment of the officer’s wounds,” the website states.
Both Harrodsburg and Harrison counties say the switch has greatly benefited officers and deputies. But Baker added, no matter if the armor is overt or covert, wearing it can ensure officers go home at the end of the day.
“Wearing your vest could be the difference between life and death,” Baker said. “I don’t think any officer here would want to go out without their vest. It is one of the most important parts of your uniform.”
