PG 204-19 PROTECTIVE VEST - USE/MAINTENANCE AND RESERVE SUPPLY Flashcards
NOTE: When a protective vest appears to be damaged, frayed, worn, or has excessive curling or creasing, it shall be brought to the attention of the member’s supervisor, who will inspect the protective vest, confer with the
Police Academy Vest Unit for guidance, notify the member’s commanding officer and direct member to present the vest, along with a report on Typed Letterhead, to the Police Academy Vest Unit.
PURPOSE
To provide instructions on how to obtain a loan vest from a reserve supply and the proper maintenance and care of protective vests.
PROCEDURE
When a member of the service is issued or purchases a protective vest:
UNIFORMED MEMBER OF THE SERVICE
- Wear protective vest as required by Patrol Guide procedure 204-18, “Protective Vests.”
- Properly care for and maintain protective vest possessed.
a. Do not modify vest or carrier. - Inspect vest regularly for signs of wear or lack of serviceability.
a. Notify immediate supervisor if vest is perceived to be unserviceable.
SUPERVISOR CONCERNED will perform the following function
- Inspect vest.
- Confer with Police Academy Vest Unit for guidance.
- Notify commanding officer and direct member to present vest along with a report on Typed Letterhead to the Police Academy Vest Unit for inspection if concerns about serviceability exist.
DESK OFFICER WIIL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTION
- Direct uniformed member of the service that requires a protective vest from the reserve supply to contact the patrol borough command concerned. When a reserve supply is not present at a patrol borough command, uniformed members of the service will be directed to contact the Police Academy Vest Unit to obtain a reserve vest.
NOTE: Members of the service assigned to Housing, Transit, or any other bureau will contact the
patrol borough located in the area of assignment to obtain a loan vest from the reserve supply.
Uniformed members of the service must wear a protective vest outside a Department facility when performing duty
in uniform and when performing enforcement duty in civilian clothes. For further guidelines regarding the wearing of protective vests see P.G. 204-18, “Protective Vests.”
PATROL BOROUGH/POLICE ACADEMY MEMBER CONCERNED
- Make entry in command log indicating
date/time out, tour, rank, name, shield, command, vest serial number, date/time returned, and remarks, each time a reserve vest is utilized.
NOTE: Utilize last page of command log for a list of
serial numbers and sizes of all reserve vests assigned to command.
REQUESTING MEMBER
- Return vest upon completion of tour, or as directed by competent authority.
a. If retained for more than one tour, member will launder carrier prior to returning the loaner vest to the Police Academy Vest Unit or patrol borough command.
COMMANDING OFFICER/PATROL BOROUGH/POLICE ACADEMY
- When needed, have arrangements made for laundering of vest carriers in other circumstances in
accordance with A.G. 316-24, “Expense Bills”.
a. Expenditures for laundering will be funded from contingency expense funds or on credit basis with local vendor, as appropriate.
ADDITIONAL DATA
When a uniformed member of the service is struck by a bullet on the protective vest and is apparently uninjured, he/she must be examined by a
doctor to ascertain if blunt body trauma or internal injury has occurred.
When a protective vest is struck by a bullet or sharp instrument it shall be brought to the Police Academy Vest Unit for
inspection along with an official report describing the circumstances before being worn by any member of the service.
A protective vest should not be worn when soaking wet since water may act as a lubricant permitting a projectile to penetrate. Uniformed members of the service will make every effort to prevent vests from getting soaking wet during rainstorms or in situations where member may enter water, i.e., rescue attempts, etc.
When a uniformed member of the service is properly fitted for a protective vest in the standing position, the front and rear panels should just meet, and no excessive gaps should exist. From a seated position, there should be no excessive gap between the bottom edge of the vest and the duty belt. The opening of the armor must not ride up into the wearer’s neck. Whenever a uniformed member of the service is issued a new protective vest, they will sign a fit certification report attesting to the fact that the protective vest fits properly at the time of issuance. Uniformed members of the service will still retain the right to return the protective vest for a two-day period after receiving it.
The following instructions should be complied with when putting on a protective vest:
a. Some type of undergarment should be worn under the vest to protect it from absorbing perspiration and body oils.
b. Protective vests should be worn under uniform shirt or civilian attire if in plain clothes.
c. Take a deep breath and expand the chest cavity. Hold breath while closing Velcro straps.
d. Do not pull the Velcro straps too tight. Leave a little room for ventilation and comfort.
e. Side panels should just meet if the vest is properly worn. No excessive gaps should exist.
Bullet resistant vests should be cared for as outlined in the instructions provided with the vest, with particular attention to the following points:
a. When possible, the vest should be stored flat, with the ballistic panels smoothed out.
b. In the event that flat storage of vests is impractical, vests should be hung with a clip type hanger, alternating the direction of hanging at regular intervals. That is, vests should be hung right side up, then upside down, alternately. When utilizing a clip type hanger, the clip must be affixed to both the carrier and the ballistic panel. This will reduce the possibility of curling and prevent the stretching of the elastic straps.
c. The vest should never be stored long term in a vehicle, particularly in the trunk of a vehicle due to temperature extremes.
d. The vest should never be stored where any abrasive surface could degrade either the carrier or the ballistic panel.
e. The vest should be stored out of sunlight, which can fade the carrier and possibly damage the ballistic material.
f. When putting on or taking off the vest, exercise care not to crush the ballistic panel excessively. The Velcro fasteners must be opened and the vest should be put on and taken off over the head.
