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.

Outer Duty Carrier (optional)

The Department approved the Outer Duty Carrier, an optional piece of equipment that may be personally purchased and worn by sworn personnel during the course of their routine duties.  The Outer Duty Carrier shall only be worn with the Class-A or Patrol Duty Uniform according to policy and as directed by the unit commander.   The ballistics resistance level of the panels inside the approved Outer Duty Carrier shall meet or exceed threat levels as defined by current department standards.

Sworn personnel already exempt from wearing uniforms per Manual of Policy and Procedures : 3-03/030.15 – Exemptions from Wearing Uniforms, shall remain exempt while donning the Outer Duty Carrier during normal duties.

Department members electing to wear the Outer Duty Carrier shall be properly fitted with the Department’s standard concealable protective vest before purchasing the properly sized Outer Duty Carrier.  The Outer Duty Carrier shall appropriately fit the wearer, minimizing slack to prevent officer safety issues or concerns. 

Department members electing to wear the Outer Duty Carrier shall continue to present a professional appearance when representing the Department pursuant to MPP 3-01/050.80 – Grooming and Dress Standards. 

During special events, the unit commander may designate that participating personnel will not wear the Outer Duty Carrier.  In these circumstances, a concealed ballistic vest and carrier are recommended to be worn when the Outer Duty Carrier is not authorized. 

Department members shall not carry their duty handgun on their Outer Duty Carrier.  The duty handgun and backup handgun shall be carried in a manner consistent with MPP 3-03/280.00 - Holsters. 

Department Members electing to carry an authorized backup handgun in their Outer Duty Carrier must adhere to the following: 

(1) The weapon must be concealed. 

(2) The weapon must be holstered per MPP 3-03/280.00 - Holsters. 

(3) If the Outer Duty Carrier is removed, the backup handgun must be secured or carried in person.

The Outer Duty Carrier shall be in accordance with the following Department specifications:

· Sworn personnel may only utilize an Outer Duty Carrier as specified by the Uniform and Equipment Coordinator and authorized by the Sheriff. 

· The Outer Duty Carrier shall utilize ballistic panels in accordance with standards established by the Uniform & Equipment Coordinator. 

· The Outer Duty Carrier shall be ranger green in color. 

· The Outer Duty Carrier shall not contain any exposed plastic or metal; 

· A Department Class B cloth badge, yellow in color, shall be adhered with a hook and pile fastener on the front left of the Outer Duty Carrier over the wearer’s heart; 

· A Department Class B cloth name tape, ranger green in color, shall be adhered with a hook and pile fastener on the right side of the Outer Duty 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” in yellow is to be adhered to the Outer Duty 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 4 inches, with each letter a minimum of 1 ½ inches in height; 

· A ranger green in color rectangular patch with the word “SHERIFF” in yellow is to be adhered to the Outer Duty Carrier with a 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 Outer Duty Carrier shall have pouches made of matching material as specified by the Uniform & Equipment Coordinator and include a rear drag handle beneath the collar on the inside of the carrier; 

· Only authorized Sheriff’s Department patches are to be used and worn on the Outer Duty Carrier and 

· The Outer Duty Carrier shall have a body-worn camera insert to properly mount the wearer’s body-worn camera.