According to a NIJ-funded Survey done by the Police Executive Research Forum, almost 93.7 percent of law enforcement officers in the US wear body armor every day. Specifically, Soft Armor vests, that are designed to offer protection against handgun rounds. So, why do so many police officers trust level IIIA Armor Bulletproof vests? Well, because they are the absolute best option for daily law enforcement operations. In this post, we will tell you why.
Level IIIA Armor, Its Capabilities, and Limitations:
According to the NIJ standards, Level IIIA armor can stop multiple hits from almost all pistol calibers, up to .44 Magnum. This means that it can easily stop most commonly used pistol calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP, .40S&W, and .357 Magnum. As far as its ballistic limitations are concerned, level IIIA armor can not stop any rifle calibers. It also cant stop some high-velocity submachine gun rounds, like the 5.7x28mm used in the P90.
Moving on, let’s talk specifically about the capabilities of level IIIA soft armor. Soft armor panels are made from Aramid fibers like Kevlar. They are flexible, as opposed to hard armor plates. This allows them to be lightweight, and significantly more comfortable. Additionally, they can provide better coverage as well, ensuring better protection.
Product Comparision
Why is level IIIA armor the best choice for Law enforcement?
Lightweight Design for Comfort and Mobility
Law enforcement officers often spend long hours on duty, patrolling, responding to calls, or engaging in tactical operations. Wearing heavy armor for extended periods can be exhausting and hinder performance.
Level IIIA armor is made from flexible materials like Kevlar or other aramid fibers. These Materials provide excellent ballistic protection without the bulk of hard plates. This makes the armor much more comfortable to wear for extended shifts, allowing officers to move freely without feeling weighed down.
Moreover, The lightweight nature of Level IIIA armor panels also enhances mobility. This is critical during foot pursuits, close-quarters engagements, or when officers need to respond quickly to evolving situations. With less restrictive armor, officers can perform their duties more easily and effectively, ensuring they are always ready for action.
Flexibility for Tactical Versatility
Unlike rigid armor plates, Level IIIA soft armor is designed to contour to the body. They offer superior flexibility, adaptability, and above all, coverage.
One of the key benefits of Level IIIA soft armor is its ability to be worn undercover. Officers and police detectives who need to maintain a low profile or blend into the civilian environment during investigations can wear the armor under their uniforms or clothing without it being obvious. This is especially important for undercover or plainclothes officers who need protection without drawing attention to themselves.
Whether an officer is performing routine patrols, working in a tactical unit, or engaging in community policing, Level IIIA armor provides the flexibility to meet a variety of mission requirements.
Effective Protection Against Common Threats
Soft armor panels have a clear drawback as they don’t offer protection against rifle rounds. Still, they are used by most police officers in the US. Why is that? Let’s take a look at some data.
According to the FBI homicide statistics from the 2019 Crime in the United States, 16,425 homicides occurred across the US in 2019. The FBI was able to collect supplemental data for 13,922 of them. This data was then broken down according to the weapon that was used , and it showed an interesting trend.
According to this data, Handguns were the most common weapons used in homicides, with 6356 or 45.7 percent being committed with handguns. This was closely followed by Knives at 10.6 percent, with 1476 homicides. On the other hand, only 2.6 percent of the homicides were committed using rifles, with another 1.4 being committed with shotguns.
Additional data from the FBI also shows that in the case of law enforcement, the trend continues, as in most cases where police officers are shot at, the weapon used is a handgun.
So, Law enforcement officers routinely face threats from firearms, edged weapons, and blunt force trauma. Level IIIA soft armor is specifically designed to address these common threats, making it an ideal option for daily operations.
In addition to ballistic protection, Level IIIA armor can also provide resistance against stab and slashing attacks, particularly when worn in conjunction with specialized anti-stab or dual protection panels. This is an important feature for officers dealing with suspects wielding knives or other edged weapons.
Officers may also be struck with blunt objects, whether its during hand-to-hand confrontations or riot control. The padding of Level IIIA armor helps absorb the impact, reducing the risk of injury from batons, fists, or other blunt weapons.
Multi-hit Capability
Another major advantage of soft armor panels is their multi-hit capability. These vests are tested with multiple hits and are rated to stop up to six shots of .44 Magnum. However, in real life scenarios, they can take a lot more than that.
There have been several incidents where police officers have been shot multiple times in their vests, and survived. In fact, Soft armor panels can offer better multi-hit protection than some armor plates as well, especially those made from ceramics.
This is why level IIIA soft armor panels are the best choice when it comes to protection against handgun calibers.
Affordability and Accessibility:
Lastly, level IIIA soft armor vests are significantly more affordable, and accessible than level III or level IV hard armor plates. This allows police departments to equip every officer with armor more easily, without breaking their budget.
Additionally, these armor panels are much easier to replace if they get damaged. This allows police officers to use them all the time, without having to save their armor for specific high-risk operations.
Soft armor is also relatively easy to maintain, with most vests requiring little more than routine inspections and proper storage. This low-maintenance requirement makes Level IIIA soft armor a practical choice for officers who need dependable gear.
Ace Link Primer Bulletproof Vest
Primer Bulletproof Vest, a sophisticated uniform option tailored to meet the needs of security and law enforcement professionals seeking a clean, elegant appearance on duty.
With a thoughtful design that prioritizes functionality and style, officers can perform their duties seamlessly, free from hindrance and fatigue, thereby enhancing their overall performance. The vest’s discreet aesthetics enable effortless blending into various environments, granting a tactical advantage when necessary. Its professional and uniformed look instills confidence and respect, conveying a sense of authority that makes it an indispensable part of their attire.
Our vest’s discreet design is specifically engineered to eschew the traditional bulky appearance of typical bulletproof vests, ensuring that security and law enforcement professionals no longer need to sacrifice elegance for protection. Empowering these professionals with confidence and an unwavering resolve to face high-risk challenges, the Livewire Vest stands as the pinnacle of on-duty vests, redefining the standards of clean, elegant uniform design for the modern professional.
Conclusion: The Best Choice for Everyday Protection
So, overall, Level IIIA soft armor is the best choice for law enforcement officers. These vests have a proven track record and have saved thousands of lives while providing an excellent balance of protection, comfort, and practicality.
By choosing Level IIIA soft armor, law enforcement officers can confidently perform their duties, knowing they are equipped with the best protection for the threats they encounter on a daily basis.
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