Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure		Effective Date: 01/03/2024
	Policy Number: PP-4031 - Body Armor

A. Policy

The wearing of protective vests is important to the safety of law enforcement personnel. Body armor is made available to all sworn, CSO’s, Animal Control and Code Enforcement employees of the department.

B. Procedure

1. Specifications:

a. At the time of issue, body armor shall meet the current National Institute of Justice standard for Type II armor. 
 

b. Personal body armor purchased by individual employees must meet or exceed the specifications for issued equipment.

2. Replacement

a. Personnel shall inspect their body armor regularly for serviceability and damage.  Personnel are responsible for submitting an equipment request for new body armor prior to its expiration date.  Body armor shall normally be replaced after five years.  Equipment requests are completed for reissue of body armor.

b. Carriers for body armor may be replaced following completion of an equipment request form and inspection by a supervisor.

1. Every agent in the Patrol Division, to include those working extra-duty assignments in a patrol uniform shall wear body armor.  This is not applicable to Command Staff working normal business hours within the station and sworn personnel attending law enforcement funerals.

2. For sworn personnel in the station and sub-stations, body armor shall be worn or be immediately available while on duty.

3. For sworn personnel, body armor shall be worn during the execution of all planned operations.

4. Community Service Officers, Code Enforcement Officers and Animal Control Officers, who are out in the field, or who are participating in planned operations, shall wear body armor.  Exceptions will be determined at the discretion of the employee’s Commander.

5. Sworn personnel shall have their department issued tactical vest and ballistic helmet available for use at all times.