Protective vests

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, July, 2006

A recent response to a home-invasion call illustrates a disturbing trend, criminals donning protective vests. When the first officer arrived, he saw the suspects running from the rear of the house. As he exited his patrol car, one of the subjects began shooting at him. The officer returned fire and gave chase on foot.

After about a block, the suspect ran out of ammunition and tried to hide under a truck. When other officers arrived, they arrested him and, to their surprise, discovered that he was wearing new, military-issued body armor. While not an unusual threat in urban areas, it understandably surprised these officers who serve a small town of only 6,000 people in rural South Carolina. Protective vests, available online and via a variety of commercial operations, have saved many officers; however, criminals have begun to use them, too, creating additional danger for law enforcement professionals and the citizens they serve.