UNC Police: General Order 03-17R5 - Ballistic Vests, Wear, and Maintenance

Title

UNC Police: General Order 03-17R5 - Ballistic Vests, Wear, and Maintenance

Document Information

Purpose

The purpose of this general order (G.O.) is to establish guidelines for the wear and maintenance of ballistic vests issued to the personnel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Police Department (UNC-CH Police Department). Proper wear and maintenance of the ballistic vests is essential, in order to provide the level of safety, afforded personnel that are issued ballistic vests.

Policy

The purpose of this general order (G.O.) is to establish guidelines for the wear and maintenance of ballistic vests issued to the personnel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Police Department (UNC-CH Police Department). Proper wear and maintenance of the ballistic vests is essential, in order to provide the level of safety, afforded personnel that are issued ballistic vests.

Units Affected

UNC-CH Police Department Sworn Personnel.

References/Forms

U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Performance Standards for Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor, NIJ Standard 0101.07

Procedures

I. Wearing of Ballistic Vests

1. Officers who wear a uniform that identifies them as a sworn officer must wear their vest at all times while on duty. The vest must be worn under the uniform shirt or in the appropriate outer carrier. The ballistic vest is worn by all sworn officers, uniformed or plain clothes, participating in pre-planned high-risk situations such as warrant execution or drug raids.
2. Criminal investigations division (CID) personnel must have their issued ballistic vest immediately available to them when on-duty. If not worn, investigators must keep their vest within close proximity. The ballistic vest may be kept in appropriate office space or in the passenger area of their assigned vehicle. Investigators may wear the vest over a dress shirt, if circumstances warrant.
3. An undershirt is worn under the vest, whenever the vest is being worn under the uniform shirt. Undershirts worn under ballistic vest are not purchased by the UNC-CH Police Department.

II. Maintenance of Ballistic Vests

1. Maintenance of Ballistic Carrier
   1. Remove ballistic panels prior to washing outer garment;
   2. Machine wash garment only at warm temperature. DO NOT USE HOT WATER OR BLEACH;
   3. Garment may be tumble dried at low temperature. Remove at once;
   4. Do not wring or twist garment at any time; and
   5. Garment must be completely dry prior to ballistic panel insertion.
2. Maintenance of Ballistic Panels
   1. Ballistic vests should not be exposed to direct rays of sunlight, nor should they be stored in the trunk of vehicles.
   2. Do not submerge the vest in water or any other liquid. Do not wash or dry clean. The ballistic panels should not be exposed to bleach or other cleaning chemicals. The ballistic panels should be cleaned by wiping them with a damp cloth.
   3. Officers should NOT alter or otherwise modify their vests.