Chapter 42 - Body Armor

Bexar County Sheriff's Office Body Armor Policy

• Effective Date: September 29, 2023
• Original Date: November 30, 2012
• Chapter Number: Forty-Two
• Policy Goal: Maximize deputy safety through body armor use combined with safety procedures
• Purpose: Provide guidelines for proper use and care of body armor
• Body Armor Definition: Soft body armor typically worn under a uniform, except for rifle-resistant armor
• Field Activities: Duty assignments in situations requiring law enforcement action
• Body Armor Issuance: All field deputies receive agency-approved body armor; only agency-approved worn
• Replacement: Damaged or worn body armor is replaced by the agency. Misused/abused armor is paid for by the deputy.
• Body Armor Replacement Standards: Based on National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and BCSO guidelines
• Uniformed Field Deputies: Required to wear body armor on duty, unless exemptions apply
• Medical Exemptions: If a physician documents a medical reason, deputies are exempt from wearing body armor
• Undercover/Plain Clothes: Deputy exempt from body armor if supervisor deems compromising
• Other Exemptions: Deputies can petition supervisors for exceptions if other conditions exist, and they must be approved by the Sheriff or Chief Deputy.
• Uniformed Administrative Deputies: Encouraged, but not required, to wear body armor
• Responding to Calls/High-Risk: Administrative deputies required to wear body armor when responding to calls or high-risk situations
• Investigators/Plain Clothes: Encouraged, but not required to wear, except in high risk situations (search warrants, arrests, etc) – Body armor is to be worn under raid jackets or in approved outer carriers
• Body Armor Inspection: Supervisors are responsible for routine and documented inspections
• Body Armor Care & Maintenance: Deputies inspect for damage; remove and wash elastic straps and carrier before washing
• External Rifle Resistant Body Armor Issuance: All law enforcement deputies receive an external set for rifle-resistant protection, which includes one carrier, two plates, two ID panels, and two pouches
• External Plate Compliance: Plates must conform to NIJ ballistic resistance standards

This quiz covers the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Body Armor Policy, established to maximize deputy safety through proper use and care of soft body armor. It includes guidelines for issuance, replacement standards, and uniform requirements for field deputies. Test your knowledge on the policy’s effective date, definitions, and exemptions.