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SEL Number: 01LE-01-ARMR
Title: Armor, Body


Last Updated: 10/18/2015 2:46:53 PM

Previous SEL Number: 01LE-01-ARMR

Description: Personal body armor intended to protect the torso and extremities against small arms fire. This type of personal protective equipment is recommended for personnel involved with tactical operations.

ImportantFeatures: Protection up to .30 caliber/7.62mm threat rounds, to include armor piercing.

Operating Considerations: The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) publishes the performance standard for ballistic-resistant body armor. The current standard, NIJ
National Institute of Justice
Standard-0101.06, specifies five levels of ballistic performance for body armor. The first three levels, IIA, II and IIIA, are typically soft armors. The two remaining levels, III and IV, are typically hard armor designed to protect officers against rifle threats. The standard threat bullets associated with these five levels are listed below:
- Type IIA. 9mm FMJ RN; .40Smith and Wesson (S&W) FMJ.
- Type II. 9mm FMJ RN; .357Magnum JSP.
- Type IIIA. .357 SIGFMJ FN; .44 Magnum SJHP.
- Type III. 7.62mm FMJ (M80) (Rifle).
- Type IV. .30 Cal AP (M2 AP) (Rifle).

The operational scenario will dictate the threat(s) that an officer is most likely to encounter. For armor intended for everyday wear, agencies should, at a minimum, consider purchasing soft body armor that will protect their officers from assaults with their own handguns should they be taken from them during a struggle; Level IIA, II or IIIA as appropriate. Hard armor (level III or IV) is more suitable for officers who are anticipated to operate in a heightened threat environment. It should be kept in mind that hard armor is typically not easily concealable. It therefore may not be suitable for all heightened threat scenarios.

Agencies can apply to for federal grant funds to purchase ballistic-resistant body armor through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant and Justice Assistance Grant programs, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Both programs require that armor purchased with grant funds be on the most current NIJ
National Institute of Justice
Ballistic Armor Compliant Products List (CPL) which may be found at https://www.justnet.org/other/ballistic_cpl.html.

Training Requirements: Core Training: OSHA 1910.132, NTOA or equivalent.
Initial Training: Minimal (<1 day)
Sustainment Training: Minimal (<1 day)

Mandatory Standards:


Applicable Standards and References:


MSSL:
  • Law Enforcement: Aviation
  • Law Enforcement: Bomb Squad
  • Law Enforcement: K-9
  • Law Enforcement: Maritime
  • Law Enforcement: Mobile Field Force
  • Law Enforcement: Mounted Patrol
  • Law Enforcement: Preventive Rad/Nuc Detection
  • Law Enforcement: SWAT/Tactical Team