Wife Inspires to Build Better Vest for Policemen
They are often considered cumbersome. When the temperature soars to 100 and higher, as it has the past week, "uncomfortable" is another word used to describe protective vests worn by law enforcement members. They are also life savers. Technically, they are "Ballistics Resistance Shells," protective armor for law enforcement, military personnel and others who might find themselves targeted by gunfire. Resident Allen S., experienced in law enforcement, is trying to improve the product It's an idea he's had for a while, he says, and his wife, Delena, has lately been urging him to develop it. "Basically' he says, "what it is, is a carrier. It takes the panels people use from the vests issued to them and they use them inside this shell." The protective panels are Kevlar, a bullet resistant material.
Allen is not trying to reinvent the vest, just improve it. "It has more contour,' he says of a better body fit, "more flexibility and a more comfortable fit. It keeps you warm in the winter. It's not bulky, it doesn't rise as you sit down. You don't have to keep adjusting it." It's flexibility includes leggings, which may also be purchased to provide protection for other body areas. Envision, as Allen suggests, a Batman-type costume-absent cape and cowl- with Kevlar panels. "You have a ballistic thigh pad," he said, "and it protects the femoral artery. It also has knee and shin pads, which are not ballistic resistant." Allen is trying to market his work through Invention Technologies, Inc., a Coral Gables, Fla., firm that will supply no product, photos, or prototypes.
Graphic illustrations will be available once a licensing agreement and/or patent protection is secured. Allen said a patent is pending. "We are now aggressively seeking manufacturers interested in licensing the design and bringing this unique new product to market," Invention Technologies said in a news release. Depending on who you speak to, vests now marketed are acceptable, while life savers could certainly be improved. It depends on the person. Some officers have worn vests for so long, it is a natural part of the uniform and they say they no longer notice what they once considered irksome, according to Police Chief Michael C. Others, like Investigator Frank P. Jr., still find the bulkiness bothersome, getting in the way as he turns his upper body, or as Allen said, riding up on the torso when moving.
Then, there is summer. "This part of the country," (the investigator) said, "and with the summer heat, they actually retain heat. And they do restrict movement. They could be a helluva lot more comfortable, a helluva lot safer because any kind of restriction in this kind of work is dangerous." He added. "If they can make them cooler," said New Mexico State Police Officer Jorge L., "it would be better." State Police Captain K. said advances made over the years, improving protection and making vests more comfortable. "It's my experience," Captain K. said, "that in the last 24 years, body armor has come a long way. It was very cumbersome. Today, they are more form fitting. They are still hot. I don't think you'll ever get away from that." But they'll stop a magnum round and some high powered rifle rounds, Captain K. said, making some discomfort a better-than-fair trade.
In the last few weeks, firefighters have been wearing vests lined with ice-like cooling agents. That material, however would affect the effectiveness of Kevlar, making it more easily penetrable. "When I was working in law enforcement," said Allen, "you had to continue adjusting the utility belt." Allen surveyed officers locally and in his home state. He got such responses as: "It sounds exciting. I'd like to know more about dependability. I'd also like to know more about the price." No price has been set, Allen said, but current vests sell in the $750 range. Other responders said they would recommend the shell, but would like more research information; that they would like a more comfortable vest, especially one that withstood summer temperatures; and a snug, lightweight fit would be an improvement over what is now worn.
Allen sees this shell also used by judges, other dignitaries and Secret Service agents. "I had thought about this for a while," he said. "When I worked for a power plant, the vests we had were real heavy. When I started working down here, it was extremely hot. We had vests the rose from the waist. If you were running around or getting in and out of your unit, the tail (of the vest) would keep coming up. "This is made to be any size. It will keep shape. You don't have to keep pulling it down. It would just be tighter, more form fitting, comfortable," Allen said.