Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
1012 Delano PD Policy Manual
Body Armor
1012.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide law enforcement officers with guidelines for the proper
use of body armor.
1012.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Delano 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.
1012.2.1 USE OF SOFT BODY ARMOR
The Department requires all on-duty officers to wear soft body armor when in uniform when vests
are issued, or,
officers assigned to a SWAT operation, stakeout, service of felony arrest warrant(s), or, are serving
a search warrant at a location where there is reason to believe a felony suspect may be present, or,
other operations or events that may arise that a supervisor or staff believes requires body armor,
or,
when an officer is testifying in any court process while in uniform.
Body armor must be either department-issued or department-approved.
All sworn personnel will comply with this policy in accordance with the current agreement with the
City of Delano. Further, the back and front panels of thevests shall be mandatory wear at all times
while on patrol duty or during high risk incidents for non-patrol assignemnts such as CRU call-
outs, serving search warrants or arrest waraants, or other high risk incidents as deemed applicable
by the Chief of Police or his/her designee, without exception.
1012.3 ISSUANCE OF BODY ARMOR
The Administration supervisor shall ensure that body armor is issued to all officers when the officer
begins service at the Delano Police Department and that, when issued, the body armor meets or
exceeds the standards of the National Institute of Justice.
The Administration supervisor shall establish a body armor replacement schedule and ensure that
replacement body armor is issued pursuant to the schedule or whenever the body armor becomes
worn or damaged to the point that its effectiveness or functionality has been compromised.
1012.3.1 INSPECTIONS OF BODY ARMOR
Supervisors should ensure that body armor is worn and maintained in accordance with this policy
through routine observation and periodic documented inspections. Annual inspections of body
armor should be conducted by an authorized designee for fit, cleanliness, and signs of damage,
abuse and wear.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Body Armor - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department