NCJ Number
79257
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 48 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 46-49
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The research, funding, and training undertaken by the Dover Township Police Department (New Jersey) in instituting officer use of body armor are discussed. Legislation supported by the department is mentioned.
Abstract
Data on police deaths in the line of duty and the increase of police hazards in Dover Township prompted the police administrators to make a strong commitment to officer body armor protection. They agreed that any vest purchased for the department would have to meet the standards of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Officer knowledge and attitudes about body armor were measured through a survey questionnaire, revealing that many officers lacked information about body armor and that over 80 percent of the officers wanted body armor available to them. Because of the lack of budget funds available for the purchase of body armor, the solicitation of funds from the general public for body armor purchasing was authorized, and the public response was surprisingly strong and immediate. Two body armor information training sessions were provided the officers, following which each officer selected the make and model of vest preferred. Providing each officer this choice was designed to encourage the wearing of the vest without making it a mandatory departmental policy. Associated with the issue of officers' wearing body armor was the recognized need for legislation that would control the sale and possession of body armor protection to civilians, such that criminals would not have easy access to such apparel. Tabular data are provided on 1978 police officer deaths by city population size. Five footnotes are listed.