DELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief William E. Ridgway
Departmental Standards Directive
TITLE: BODY ARMOR
CODIFIED:
CFA STD:
2.14
17.10M
DATE OF ISSUE:
01.12.07
EFFECTIVE DATE:
01.12.07
RESCINDS/
AMENDS:
03.01.04
PAGES:
3
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Directive is to provide Department members with guidelines for the proper care
and use of body armor.
DISCUSSION
This directive is intended to enhance prescribed safety procedures through the wearing of body
armor. Law enforcement officers who are assigned to duty and/or tasks that place or could
reasonably be expected to place them in situations where they would be required to act in
enforcement rather than administrative or support capacities will be required to wear body armor.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the DeLand Police Department that wearing of protective body armor
shall be mandatory during the hours of darkness, during any pre-planned high-risk situation, and
any other time when potentially dangerous or unusual circumstances dictate. Pre-planned highrisk situations are those incidents where time is available to prepare a police response to
circumstances where there is a risk of injury to employees or citizens, to include search warrants,
the apprehension of dangerous felons, and other potentially dangerous pre-planned special
2.14-1
operations. The wearing of body armor at all times may become mandatory at the discretion of
the Chief of Police.
It is strongly recommended that protective body armor be worn during daylight hours. If not
worn, it must be readily available while on duty.
ISSUANCE OF BODY ARMOR
2.14.1 All body armor issued must comply with protective and related requirements prescribed
under current standards of the National Institute of Justice.
2.14.2 Body armor shall be worn by recruit members in the Field Training Program during both
classroom and field training.
2.14.3 All members shall be issued agency-approved body Armor.
EXEMPTIONS FROM WEARING BODY ARMOR
2.14.4 When an agency-approved physician determines that a member has a medical condition
that would preclude wearing body armor.
2.14.5 When the member is involved in undercover or plain clothes work that his/her supervisor
determines could be compromised by wearing body armor; or
2.14.6 When the department determines that circumstances make it inappropriate to mandate
wearing body armor.
INSPECTIONS OF BODY ARMOR
2.14.7 Supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring that body armor is worn and maintained as
required by this policy through routine observation and periodic documented inspections.
2.14.8 Annual inspections of body armor shall be conducted for fit, cleanliness, signs of damage,
abuse and wear.
CARE MAINTENANCE, AND REPLACEMENT OF BODY ARMOR
2.14.9 Each law enforcement officer is responsible for the proper storage of body armor in
accordance with manufacturer's instructions and daily inspection for signs of damage,
wear and general cleanliness.
2.14-2
a) As dirt and perspiration may erode ballistic panels, each officer shall be responsible for
cleaning their body armor in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The following
is a list of instructions for the care of soft body armor:
b) Do not machine wash or dry Kevlar Panels. Heat from laundry equipment, friction and
strong detergents can damage ballistic panels.
c) Wash by hand with mild soap and cold water. Rinse thoroughly then drip dry indoors.
d) Never use bleach or similar products
e) Do not dry clean
f) Do not expose to direct or indirect sunlight. Ultraviolet rays degrade ballistic properties.
g) Store flat or hang on sturdy hanger. Do not fold as creases cause weak spots.
h) Do not attempt to repair cuts or tears. Turn in for replacement.
i) Officers are responsible for reporting any damage or wear to the ballistic panels or cover to
the individual responsible for the uniform supply function.
DRAFTED: PCG - 02/2002
REVISED: PCG - 02/2004
REVISED: GRB -11/2006
REVISED: JFA - 01/2008
2.14-3