LEO Body Armor Use

What were Law Enforcement Officers wearing when they were assaulted and killed? No, it won’t be the next challenge for a fashion reality show to design a pink uniform that promotes harmony.

There were 57 LEOs reported killed in 2007. Of those, 41 were in uniform at the time.  Of these uniformed LEOs 33 were wearing body armor and 40 were wearing holsters.  Sixteen LEOs were not in uniform at the time of the assault, but 3 of them were in body armor and 11 of them were wearing holsters.

What about the averages from the last ten years?  Well, in that regard 2007 was pretty unremarkable.  Most LEOs killed were wearing uniforms at the time (77% over the last ten years).  Most LEOs were wearing body armor (61%).  Sadly, what is also normal is that 1 or 2 officers in uniform were assaulted and killed when they were not wearing their holster.  Only slightly less ridiculous is that 31% of LEOs not in uniform (and 40% over the last ten years) weren’t carrying their holster when they were killed.  Doesn’t really matter how well trained you are with your firearm if you aren’t carrying when the bad man comes, does it?

It isn’t my intention to begin an analysis of whether body armor makes LEOs safer.  Wearing it is a good thing.  It’s relevant to your interests as a professional.  What is worth commenting on is the fact that LEOs wearing body armor were nsvertheless assaulted and killed in 2007.  Criminals are clearly not so intimidated by an LEO in body armor that he acquiesces without firing a shot.

What I would like to examine are the weapons/ammunition that defeated body armor worn by law enforcement officers.  For handguns, the analysis is simple.  Over the last ten years, there was one incident in 2005 in which a law enforcement officer’s vest was penetrated by a 9mm round fired from a handgun.  All in all, the risk from handguns is relatively low (if the bad guy manages to hit the plate).  Rifles are a different matter.  In the last ten years there were 19 incidents in which rifle rounds defeated LEO body armor.  Here are the calibers used:

• .223 caliber – 2
• .30 caliber – 1
• .30-06 caliber – 2
• .30-30 caliber – 2
• .300 caliber – 1
• .308 caliber – 1
• 5.56 mm – 1
• 7 mm – 1
• 7.62×39 mm – 8

When law enforcement officers are confronting a suspect armed with a rifle, extreme care must be taken.  It is 19 times more likely that even if struck in the plate, the rifle catridge will defeat body armor.

Jedburgh Corp offers a wide range of courses specifically designed to leverage this data, and provide the most effective Law Enforcement Training available.  Contact us at info@Jedburgh-USA.com to provide feedback on the blog, or discuss your training needs.  Also, feel free to post your comments.