NCJ Number
32110
Date Published
1975
Length
121 pages
Annotation
THE BODY ARMOR DISCUSSED IS MADE FROM KEVLAR, A SYNTHETIC FIBER WHICH CAN DEFEAT A .38 CALIBER HANDGUN AND OTHER THREATS OF EQUAL OR LESS SEVERITY.
Abstract
THIS STUDY INVOLVED 107 PERSONAL INTERVIEWS NATIONWIDE WITH OFFICIALS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRIVATE SECURITY, AND PRIVATE ARMORED TRANSPORT AGENCIES WHO HAD PURCHASING AUTHORITY OR INFLUENCE. TOPICS COVERED INCLUDED THE CURRENT USAGE OF LIGHTWEIGHT BODY ARMOR, REACTIONS TO BODY ARMOR MADE OF KEVLAR, POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR KEVLAR BODY ARMOR, THE PRODUCT MARKET POTENTIAL, AND THE PROJECTED POTENTIAL ANNUAL SALES VOLUME FOR THE VARIOUS KEVLAR GARMENTS. NINE PROTOTYPE GARMENTS WERE CONSIDERED: AN UNDERSHIRT, DRESS VEST, SPORT COAT, MOTORCYCLE JACKET, SCOOTER COAT, TROOPER COAT, VINYL PATROL JACKET, OFFICER'S COAT, AND A CLOTH JACKET. SURVEY RESPONSES IN EACH TOPIC AREA ARE DISCUSSED INDIVIDUALLY, GENERAL REACTION TO KEVLAR AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS (ESPECIALLY ITS LIGHTNESS) WAS POSITIVE. THE INTENDED USES IDENTIFIED MOST OFTEN WERE AUTO PATROL (BOTH DAY AND EVENING), FOOT PATROL (DAY), AND MOTORCYCLE PATROL. PURCHASE INTEREST WAS HIGHEST FOR THE UNDERSHIRT, DRESS VEST, AND VINYL PATROL JACKET, WHICH RETAIL FOR 210, AND 325 DOLLARS RESPECTIVELY. THE POSSIBLE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS INDICATED FROM THE USE OF KEVLAR GARMENTS INCLUDED THE ACQUISITION OF LIGHTWEIGHT BODY ARMOR AND THE USE OR HIGHER THREAT WEAPONS BY CRIMINALS AND THE GENERATION OF A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY IN PATROL OFFICERS.