Body ARMOR For POLICE and Security: The Basics

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$399 level IIIA vest :

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[paulwitmer]

Okay so make a specific suggestion a vendor & brands

[TheBiggityBoyd]

If I work in an area with a bunch of rifle threats as a security guard, I'm leaving ASAP. I did not get out of the Army to be shot at with rifles in the US.

[FuzzFam]

You realize you're like the professor of our profession right? Your knowledge base is incredible. Another great video T!

[pmustang]

I always wear a second t-shirt to protect myself.

[ferna]

This video is 14 minutes 35 secs of FULL information. You can´t get deeper than this.

Thank you so much.

Subscribed!

[Marco-bfuu]

We federal police officers in germany get an Level 4+ plate carrier issued. But in germany the last active shooter situation was in 2004 and he had an 22lr. And mostly we only must deal with knifes. But its germany everything must be perfect and Safe.

[jcoll]

Thank You, I am currently working as Executive Armed Security. I will be buying and wearing a vest at my next detail. I have been doing this for almost 4 years without one. I never served in the military, been a police officer, I interned at a police department, all my time in college. I am an internationally certified Firefighter, but there is so much to know and I am still learning, how to do my job in a safer and more professional. I have a new boss, retired secret service. Awesome boss and mentor, he keeps asking where is your vest!

So again, Thank You, in less than 15 minutes, I know and understand what’s right for me

[bennconner]

If your in the military I think a mix of soft Armour and hard armour is the way to go. A Hybrid level 3A body armour/plate Carrier would be ideal.

[chrisafp]

I work unarmed security on dangerous sites and I'm not sure how to take a step in the right direction for my career. Too much is expected of us with 0 training and 0 gear, I had to buy even my own flashlight, boots, spray, they gave me a shirt. I guess that is paying the bills and staying a float but I really hope some crackhead doesn't end me too early. I work my ass off over 60hrs per week, sometimes more.

[fraleo]

wow finally an explanation for what level 1 was, ive been looking everywhere for it and it was driving me crazy

[kelleymcmahan]

I had an instructor years ago, what he suggested was to wear body armor that would stop whatever round you were carrying. Due to the vast majority of security/police shootings are killed by their own weapons.

[polargaming]

As a civilian(who wants to become a police officer) I never understood why police officer security etc. Never used plates that stop a 44 magnum but now I do thank you. Be safe ⚫🔵⚫

[angelmontiel]

This helped me a lot for my security work I was going to get to level 3 A+ you saved me some money so thank you

[whoop]

I want to be able to be shot with a lmg and laugh

[ARHZONE]

From my perspective (have been working as an armed and unarmed security officer in the Houston area for a few years now) i personally think it really depends on both the area you work in, as well as the necessity of what your job entails. Without a doubt, both police and security officers (especially in the more crime ridden parts of cities) face challenges everyday, some much more than others. I have met security officers who have seen more action than most polices officers i have met, and i have met police who have seen a good deal themselves working in inner city Houston and my main opinion is the fact that you should only get what you believe if absolutely necessary for your location and job. I have worked with security officers in a very low crime rated area wearing level 3 vests and i have known armed guards who work in inner city Houston with tons of gun violence who either wear nothing or the lowest level armor they could find. It really comes down to your own preference and your own money, but in my line of work, i personally prefer a level 2 standard vest (possibly a level 3a, no particular brands) due to statistically, the most gun related violence you come across is with that of hand guns, and the most common types such as 9mm, .357, etc. While there is always the threat of an active shooter or killers with rifles, most of the time those are very low on the spectrum compared to hand guns.
I've always had the mindset that you should take your equipment into consideration with your environment. If you are guarding an armored truck with tons of money or working at a government institution, banks or in a crime ridden part of town, then maybe going a bit heavier with the armor and other equipment is needed to be prepared. But if you are simply guarding a vacant parking lot or a warehouse in a quiet part of town, then i highly doubt you would need a level 3 or 4 standard vest armed with a 12g shotgun. A simple level 2 or 3a vest that can stop most common handgun types that is also a bit more mobile, is your safest bet.
I myself wish to purchase a level 2 or 3a while continuing my security career and believe it will do me more than enough.

[joshuabrown]

I love this channel
I'm down with nearly EVERY video

[AnthonyClauser]

It is so refreshing for a cop on YouTube that presents facts as facts, but much more important, opinions as opinions, but especially in a dignified fashion.

Far too many present opinions as fact, or even worse in a very condescending fashion.

[sigmasafety]

Just a thought, you may want to define "back face deformation" for people that are unfamiliar with the term. NIJ allows 41mm BFD (aka BFS = Back Face Signature).

It's also worth mentioning that many higher-end manufacturers list Special Threats which NIJ permits: the manufacturer can test and list in addition to NIJ certification. For example, Armor Express Level II SBA has special threat declarations for .44 mag and .357 Sig (both of which are NIJ IIIA rounds). It's an important factor in armour selection.


Great video - keep it up.

[FilosefeAbstrac]

Thanks for this video, I just invested in a Safe Life Defense Level IIIa+ first response vest with a hard rifle plate for the front. I do armed security for a religious place of worship part-time, so the weight won't really be a factor.

[whitebadger]

Great video helped me immensely in choosing my vest.