E.P.P. 010
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE
NUMBER: EPP – 10
SUBJECT: BODY ARMOR
EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2001
REVISED: JULY 1, 2023
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
BODY ARMOR
EPP – 10 Page 1 of 3
I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide law enforcement officers with guidelines for the
proper use and care of body armor.
II. POLICY:
It is the policy of the Longwood Police Department to maximize officer safety through
the use of body armor in combination with prescribed safety procedures. While body
armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a substitute for the observance
of officer safety procedures.
III. DEFINITIONS:
Field Activities: Duty assignments and/or tasks that place or could reasonably be
expected to place officers in situations where they would be required to act in
enforcement rather than administrative or support capacities.
IV. PROCEDURES:
A. Issuance of Body Armor:
1. All body armor issued must comply with protective and related
requirements prescribed under current standards of the National
Institute of Justice.
2. All officers shall be issued agency-approved body armor.
3. Body armor that is worn or damaged shall be replaced by the agency.
Body armor that must be replaced due to misuse or abuse by the officer
shall be paid for by the officer.
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BODY ARMOR
EPP – 10 Page 2 of 3
B. Use of Body Armor:
1. Officers shall wear only agency-approved body armor.
2. Body armor shall be worn by recruit officers during classroom and field
training.
3. Officers that are assigned to a uniformed function and non-uniformed
sworn officers are required to wear body armor while engaged in field
activities both on duty and during off-duty employment unless exempt
as follows:
a. When an agency-approved physician determines that an officer
has a medical condition that would preclude wearing body
armor;
b. When the officer is involved in undercover or plain clothes work
that his/her supervisor determines could be compromised by
wearing body armor; or,
c. When the department determines that circumstances make it
inappropriate to mandate wearing body armor.
4. All officers on duty will have body armor readily available.
C. Inspections of Body Armor:
1. Supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring that body armor is worn
and maintained as required by this policy through routine observation
and periodic documented inspections.
2. Annual inspections of body armor shall be conducted for fit, cleanliness,
and signs of damage, abuse, and wear.
D. Care, Maintenance & Replacement of Body Armor:
1. Officers shall routinely inspect personal body armor for signs of damage
and for general cleanliness.
2. As dirt and perspiration may erode ballistic panels, each officer shall be
responsible for cleaning personal body armor in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Officers are responsible for the proper storage, maintenance, and care
of body armor in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
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BODY ARMOR
EPP – 10 Page 3 of 3
4. Officers are responsible for reporting damage or excessive wear to the
ballistic panels or cover to their supervisor and the individual
responsible for the uniform supply function.
5. Body armor will be replaced in accordance with guidelines and
protocols established by the National Institute of Justice.