BODY ARMOR A-225 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: BODY ARMOR NO: A-225
FILE: BODY ARMOR
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-01-20 REVISED:
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Labor Code section 6401; and Fresno County Sheriff's Office
policy 1023/Uniform Regulations.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines regarding the use and care of protective
vests (body armor).
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office to maximize officer safety and to
reduce the risks and hazards associated with working in a correctional environment. The
Sheriff's Office provides protective vests to all officers in an effort to improve safety.
PROCEDURES:
I. ISSUANCE OF BODY ARMOR
A. All officers shall be fitted and issued a protective vest for their personal
protection and safety. Protective vests are issued by the Training Unit.
1. Correctional Officers whose official duties do not require the
assignment of a firearm are issued Level 3 ("spike" class) stab vests.
The vests are designed to protect against spikes, shanks, and other
potentially lethal handmade weapons.
2. Correctional Officers whose official duties require the assignment of
a firearm are issued a Ballistic Level IIIA/Spike 3 combo vest.
B. Officers may purchase and wear personal protective vests, provided the
body armor complies with requirements prescribed under the current
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards, is of the same style (i.e.,
intended to be worn under the uniform shirt)and color, as the issued vest.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: BODY ARMOR NO: A-225
FILE: BODY ARMOR
1. Stab vests must meet or exceed NIJ Standard 0115.00 Stab
Resistance of Personal Body Armor Level 3 (spike category)
designed to stop improvised weapons.
2. Ballistic vests must meet or exceed NIJ Standard 0101.06 for
Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor Type IIIA, which provides
protection against most pistol calibers, and many higher powered
revolvers.
C. Based upon assignment, other members of the Jail Division may be
issued a ballistic/spike combo vest with the approval of their Bureau
Commander. Requests shall be submitted via memorandum through the
employee's chain of command.
II. USE OF BODY ARMOR
While body armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a
substitute for sound, basic safety procedures. Protective vests are issued to
each officer for their personal protection, to help maximize their safety.
A. Officers are fitted and issued a stab protection vest for their personal
protection and safety. A canvas tote bag will be issued to carry the vest.
1. Officers are strongly encouraged to wear their vests during working
hours. Vests are normally to be worn concealed under the officer's
uniform shirt.
2. If not worn, the vest shall be immediately available (i.e., at the
officer's assigned post).
3. Staff may be required to wear the vest during critical incidents. In
cases of emergency, officers may don their vests over their uniform
shirts.
B. The use of ballistic vests is mandatory and officers are required to wear
their vest whenever they are engaged in off-site transporting or guarding
duties. Wear at other times is strongly recommended and encouraged.
If not worn, the vest shall be immediately available.
III. CARE OF PROTECTIVE VESTS
Each officer shall be responsible for the proper care of assigned body armor.
The manufacturer's care instructions will be issued with the body armor and
should be followed by the officer.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: BODY ARMOR NO: A-225
FILE: BODY ARMOR
IV. INSPECTIONS OF PROTECTIVE VESTS
A Bureau Commander, or their designee, may schedule periodic formal and
informal inspections to determine that general standards of maintenance
conform with the provisions of this policy.
V. REPLACEMENT OF PROTECTIVE VESTS
A. Vests shall be exchanged or replaced whenever they are damaged,
defective, or require repair.
1. Body armor that is rendered unserviceable or damaged in the line of
duty shall be exchanged by the Training Unit. No report is required,
unless one was written.
2. If the vest is lost, damaged or stolen, and the loss, damage or theft
resulted from the officer's failure to exercise reasonable care of the
vest; or if unauthorized alteration, destruction, or other intentional or
negligent abuse or misuse of the vest has occurred, disciplinary
action could result, including, but not limited to, the cost of repair or
replacement. An incident report shall be submitted to the Bureau
Commander, via chain of command. The report shall state the
circumstances surrounding the loss or theft, and copies of the report
shall be forwarded and maintained in the employee's Training,
Personnel, and Bureau files.
B. Vests should be exchanged anytime the armor begins to feel overly snug
or wide gaps develop in its side coverage. If applicable, the officer should
contact the Training Unit for resizing.
C. For routine replacement, the Training Unit will notify the officer directly.
VI. POSSESSION OF PROPERTY UPON SEPARATION
All employees will be held personally accountable for the return of all
equipment issued by the Sheriff's Office. At the time of separation (i.e.,
termination, resignation, retirement, or extended leave of absence for more
than six (6) months), the employee shall surrender all County-owned property
and equipment.
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