NCJ Number
216336
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 172,174,178
Date Published
October 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features of "body bunkers" (handheld portable bullet-resistant shields), explains why they should be part of every patrol officer's equipment, and instructs officers in when and how they should be used.
Abstract
Body bunkers come in various shapes, sizes, and levels of protection. There are rigid body bunkers, which resemble the shields carried by Roman foot soldiers, and flexible body bunkers, which can be described as ballistic blankets with handles. Although many think of body bunkers as equipment for specialized police units such as SWAT teams and certain operations such as barricaded armed suspects and risky warrant service, the most logical application of a body bunker is at the patrol level. Every patrol car should have a ballistic shield. Because the patrol officer is most likely to be the first officer at the scene, he/she is also most likely to encounter a threatening incident still in progress. Combined with the officer's ballistic vest, the body bunker provides increased protection from gunfire. In high-risk stops in which one or more subjects in the vehicle are believed to be armed, the flexible ballistic shield is ideal. Officers can sit on the flexible shield in their patrol cars and then deploy it by simply holding it up. Flexible shields are also appropriate when maneuvering in tight spots and when rigid shields scraping against objects and buildings would betray an officer's position. Flexible body bunkers are quiet and often half the weight of rigid shields. The author explains how to hold a shield and how to deploy it when maintaining a perimeter in an active incident, in evacuating an area where a suspect is barricaded, and in an active shooter incident.