3-03/350.00 - Protective Vests

Any protective vest, body armor, or bullet-resistant device, issued or purchased for use by Department members, shall be certified according to the most current National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards at the time of purchase.

Concealable Protective Vest

The Department shall issue each sworn member a concealable (worn under the uniform shirt) protective vest.

The ballistics resistance level of the concealable protective vest shall meet or exceed threat level III-A tested and certified to the most current NIJ standards.

The concealable protective vest shall be a wrap-around model with tan color concealable carrier (sworn personnel) and white color concealable carrier (non-sworn personnel). 

The concealable protective vest is provided to sworn personnel and armed Department members for their personal protection during normal operations and working hours.  Department members are encouraged to wear the vest under their uniform shirt or civilian clothing.  If the protective vest is not worn, the vest must be immediately available to all on-duty sworn personnel and armed Department members.

At all times during field operations wherein forced entry may become necessary, the concealable protective vest shall be worn by all personnel involved in the entry process and overcoming any initial resistance.  Such occasions include, but are not limited to, the service of arrest warrants, search warrants, probable cause entries, and anytime members intend to affect entry should permission be denied.  Supervisors at the scene shall ensure that those provisions are followed.

Sworn members shall wear a concealable protective vest at all times while operating a Sheriff’s motorcycle.

Approved Tactical Outer Carrier (optional)

The Department-approved tactical outer carrier or entry vests are only to be worn during the tactical operation.  Upon completion of the tactical operation, personnel shall change into either a Class A uniform, Class B uniform, Optional Duty Uniform, or authorized civilian attire, as directed by their unit commander.

The ballistics resistance level of the panels inside the approved tactical outer carrier shall meet or exceed threat level III-A, as tested and certified according to the most current NIJ standards and shall be in accordance with the following Department specifications:

• The tactical outer carrier and concealable protective vests (panels) shall be manufactured by the same manufacturer;
• The tactical outer carrier shall be ranger green in color and made of  500 denier nylon cordura material;
• The tactical outer carrier side closures shall consist of ranger green hook and pile fastener/elastic material.  The tactical outer carrier shall not contain any exposed plastic or metal;
• A Department yellow in color Class B cloth badge shall be adhered with hook and pile fastener on the front left of the tactical outer carrier, over the wearer's heart;
• A Department ranger green in color Class B cloth name tape shall be adhered with hook and pile fastener on the right side of the tactical outer carrier.  The last name of the Department member shall be embroidered in yellow on the name tape and shall be a minimum of 1 X 5 inches;
• A ranger green in color rectangular patch with the word “SHERIFF” silk-screened in yellow is to be adhered to the tactical outer carrier with a hook and pile fastener on the front of the carrier, under the cloth name tape.  It shall be a minimum of 2 X 5 inches with each letter a minimum of 1 ½ inches in height;

• A ranger green in color rectangular patch with the word “SHERIFF” silk-screened in yellow is to be adhered to the tactical outer carrier with hook and pile fastener on the outer portion of the rear carrier, centered below the lower portion of the neckline.  The patch shall be a minimum of 3 X 10 inches with each letter a minimum of 2 inches in height;
• The tactical outer carrier shall have fixed pouches made of matching material on the front and a rear drag handle beneath the collar;
• Only authorized Sheriff’s Department patches are to be used and worn on the tactical outer carrier; and
• The tactical outer carrier shall have a body worn camera insert centered between the cloth name tape and Class B cloth badge.