Wearing of Personal Issue Body Armour

Policy Scope:

This policy applies to all police officers, special constables, police cadets and police staff (as defined in the policy).

Policy Aims and Objectives:

It is inevitable and understandable that incidents involving injury to police officers and police staff which result from assaults involving firearms and edged weapons receive high profile coverage both within the police service itself and also through the media.

The risk of such incidents occurring is thankfully extremely low when compared to the total number of arrests and incidents, which happen on a daily basis. However, the serious or even fatal consequences which, usually result from these incidents must never be underestimated.

South Yorkshire Police has a statutory responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that risks to staff are managed and controlled. This statutory responsibility is further enhanced by the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations to provide personal protective equipment where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

This policy aims to minimise the risks of injury to police officers, special constables, police cadets and police staff from firearms or edged weapons through the provision and wearing of personal issue body armour. The Force will provide body armour which incorporates levels of protection to standards approved for specific roles by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB).

Body armour is designed to protect the vital organs and cannot offer complete protection. It is therefore essential that staff continue to undertake dynamic risk assessments of the circumstances of an incident as an aid to the decision making process to enable the most appropiate course of action to be taken to minimise the risk to personal safety.

Managers, supervisors and all staff have a statutory responsibility (under Health and Safety legislation, as interpreted by case law and by reference to common law) to ensure that body armour is worn and maintained in accordance with this policy.

Remember: Failure to comply with this policy could result in staff being in breach of their own statutory duties regarding Health and Safety legislation, and disciplinary action may be taken.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

1. Body Armour Wearing Policy

1.1 Wearing of Body Armour by Police Officers

1.1 (a) Operationally Active Uniform Officers and Special Constables (except Police Motorcyclists)

Officers will be provided with personal issue body armour which must be worn at all times whilst operationally active, except in the circumstances detailed in the following paragraphs.

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply:

Where on the basis of an informed and recorded risk assessment, approved by the District Commander or Department Head for generic activities or for pre-planned events, there is no reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation and/or alternative risk control measures are implemented which manage the risks. Examples of such circumstances may include:

Visits to schools or other organisations.
Mounted Section open day.

In other circumstances, where on the basis of an informed and recorded dynamic risk assessment conducted by a manager/supervisor, there is no reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation and/or alternative risk control measures are implemented which manage the risks. Examples of such circumstances may include:

Searches on open moorland.
Duties directly associated with the scene of a road traffic collision.
Duties directly associated with the scene of a major incident.

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply to officers whilst undertaking administrative tasks within police buildings or whilst participating in meetings.

Officers will not be required to wear body armour whilst giving evidence in Court, or whilst waiting within the court building to give evidence. However, if an assessment of the circumstances by the District or Department, (in liaison with the Court regarding giving of evidence) taking in to account all available information, identifies that a significant risk exists, body armour will be worn.

1.1 (b) Tactical Support Group Officers and Police Support Unit Officers

In addition to the general requirements in paragraph 1.1 (a), body armour must be worn when actively deployed into public disorder situations.

1.1 (c) Firearms Support Group Officers

In addition to the general requirements in paragraph 1.1 (a) body armour must be worn when attending any incident involving (or suspected to involve) firearms.

1.1 (d) Police Motorcyclists

Police motorcyclists will be provided with personal issue body armour, which will be worn:

Whilst undertaking pre-planned arrests where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation;
Whilst undertaking enquiries into incidents involving members of the public/suspects where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation;
In any other circumstances identified as a result of an informed risk assessment by an individual and/or their supervisor.

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply to police motorcyclists whilst undertaking administrative tasks within police buildings or whilst participating in meetings.

Police motorcyclists will not be required to wear body armour whilst giving evidence in Court, or whilst waiting within the court building to give evidence. However, if an assessment of the circumstances by the District or Department, (in liaison with the Court regarding giving of evidence) taking in to account all available information, identifies that a significant risk exists, body armour will be worn.

1.1 (e) Operationally Active Plain Clothes Police Officers

All plain clothes police officers will be provided with personal issue body armour, which will be worn:

Whilst undertaking pre-planned operations involving forced entry in to premises where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation;
Whilst undertaking pre-planned arrests where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation;
Whilst undertaking enquiries into incidents involving members of the public/suspects where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation;
In any other circumstances identified as a result of an informed risk assessment by an individual officer and/or their supervisor;
Whilst undertaking Close Protection duties.

Plain clothes police officers will not be required to wear body armour on duties where risks to safety could be significantly compromised if individual identity is revealed. In such circumstances, the risk assessment for these activities must identify the alternative control measures, which need to be implemented to manage the risks.

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply to operationally active plain clothes officers whilst undertaking administrative tasks within police buildings or whilst participating in meetings.

Plain clothes officers will not be required to wear body armour whilst giving evidence in Court, or whilst waiting within the Court building to give evidence. However, if an assessment of the circumstances by the District or Department, (in liaison with the Court regarding giving of evidence) taking in to account all available information, identifies that a significant risk exists, body armour will be worn.

1.2 Wearing of Body Armour by Operational Police Staff

Police staff in roles where a risk assessment has identified that there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of confrontation will be provided with personal issue body armour which must be worn at all times whilst operationally active. These roles include:

Warrant Officers
Police Community Support Officers
Safety Safety Camera Partnership, Viewing Officers and Enquiry Officers Enforcement Officers

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply:

Visits to schools or other organisations.
Mounted Section open day.

Duties directly associated with the scene of a road traffic collision.
Duties directly associated with the scene of a major incident.

Police staff in roles where a risk assessment has identified that there may be a residual risk of confrontation will be provided with body armour, the wearing of which will be based on an informed dynamic risk assessment of the circumstances by the individual and/or their supervisor. These roles include:

Anti Social Behaviour Order Investigators
Technical Support Officers
Firearms Enquiry Officers
Licensing Enforcement Officers

The requirement to wear body armour will not apply to police staff in confrontational roles undertaking administrative tasks within police buildings or whilst participating in meetings.

Police staff in confrontational roles will not be required to wear body armour whilst giving evidence in Court, or whilst waiting within the Court building to give evidence. However, if an assessment of the circumstances by the District or Department, (in liaison with the Court regarding giving of evidence) taking in to account all available information, identifies that a significant risk exists, body armour will be worn.

1.3 Wearing of Body Armour by Police Cadets

Provision will be made for police cadets at each District (where they are based) to have access to body armour from a pool made available through Supply Chain Management.

Body armour will be worn by police cadets on every occasion that they are deployed to duties where their nominated supervising officer at the time is required to wear body armour under this policy.

2. Body Armour Technical Data

2.1 Body Armour Protection Levels

2.1 (a) All Operationally Active Police Officers (except Firearms Support Group, Firearms Support Group Tactical Officers, Close Protection Officers Venue Protection Officers and Port Unit Officers), Special Constables, Police Cadets and Police staff.

This body armour incorporates combined ballistic and knife protection which has been tested and approved by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) for general patrol. It has been assigned ballistic protection to level HG1 and knife resistance protection to level KR2 if issued prior to Feb 2006, or ballistic protection to level HG1A and knife resistance protection to level KR2 if issued post February 2006 in compliance with new HOSDB testing standards.

The armour is designed to reduce the risks of serious injury to the area it protects occurring from spontaneous incidents.

2.1(b) Firearms Support Group Officers

This body armour incorporates combined ballistic and knife protection which has been tested and approved by the HOME OFFICE SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT BRANCH to provide ballistic protection to level HG2 and knife protection to level KR2 if issued prior to May 2007, post May 2007 ballistic protection HG2 and knife protection KR1.

2.1(c) Firearms Support Group Tactical Officers

This body armour incorporates ballistic protection which has been tested and approved by the HOME OFFICE SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT BRANCH to provide protection to level HG1A.

2.1(d) Close Protection Officers

This body armour incorporates ballistic protection which has been tested and approved by the HOME OFFICE SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT BRANCH to provide protection to level HG1A.

2.1 (e) Venue Protection Officers

2.1 (f) Ports Unit Officers

More detailed information on the Home Office Scientific Development Branch body armour standards can be obtained through Supply Chain Management or Home Office Scientific Development Branch Website

http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/hosdb/

2.2 Body Armour Panels and Covers

2.2 (a) Operationally Active Uniform Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Cadets

Overt body armour will be issued, which comprises of a black outer cover with removable protective panels at the front, rear and shoulders.

2.2 (b) Operational Active Plain Clothes Police Officers and Close Protection Officers

Operational Plain Clothes Officers will be issued with body armour that can be worn covertly or overtly. The body armour comprises of a black outer cover for overt use and/or a white cover for covert use. The removable front and rear protective panels are interchangeable between the covert and overt covers.
Covert body armour will be issued to Close Protection Officers, which comprises of a white outer cover with removable protective panels at the front, rear and shoulders.

2.2 (c) Operational Police Staff

Warrant Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Safety Camera Partnership Enforcement Officers, Viewing Officers and Enquiry Officers will be issued with overt body armour, which comprises of a black outer cover with removable protective panels at the front, rear and shoulders.

Anti-Social Behaviour Order Investigators, Technical Support Officers, Firearms Enquiry Officers and Licensing Enforcement Officers will be issued with covert body armour, which comprises of a white outer cover with removable protective panels at the front, rear and shoulders.

2.3 Labelling of Body Armour Panels and Covers

2.3 (a) Body Armour Protective Panels

Every Protective Panel will have the following information displayed:

Date of manufacture and serial number.
Details of the protection levels provided by the armour.
The direction in which the panel is to be inserted in to the cover.
Cleaning instructions.

2.3 (b) Body Armour Covery

Every Body Armour Cover will have the following information displayed:
A warning that the all protective panels must be inserted to provide the designed protection level.
Details of the protection levels provided when the protective panels are inserted.
Cleaning instructions.

The body armour covers are not flame retardant. Tactical Support Group Officers (TSG) and Police Support Units (PSU) deployed to situations where there is a likelihood of petrol bombs or other similar implements being used must ensure that the body armour is worn underneath the flame proof overalls.

The body armour covers and armour is designated as "shower proof" only and should therefore not be worn as the outer garment during periods of heavy rain as this may affect the integrity of the armour.

2.4 Body Armour Warranty

All the body armour issued by South Yorkshire Police carries a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer. Prior to the expiry of the warranty, body armour will either be renewed or representative samples of the armour independently tested to the original specification. If the test is satisfactory, the manufacturer will warrant the armour for a further year.

2.5 Purchasing and Fitting of Body Armour

Supply Chain Management will co-ordinate the purchase, distribution and fitting of armour and co-ordinate an annual batch integrity inspection and review.

3. Body Armour Health, Safety and Maintenance

3.1 Welfare and Medical Aspects

The body armour incorporates latest technological developments to ensure maximum possible comfort whilst being worn. However, staff should take advantage of opportunities, such as during breaks or when writing reports, to remove the armour.

During periods of hot weather or when engaged in special events or operations, staff may feel more uncomfortable and be at increased risk of dehydration. Staff, are therefore advised to increase their intake of water during such times.

Managers and supervisors responsible for planning special events/operations shall ensure that adequate provision is made for the welfare of all staff (breaks, refreshments etc).

Any individual who feels they are experiencing medical problems which they believe are related to or compounded by the wearing of body armour or the carriage of personal safety equipment must notify their line manager in writing.

The line manager should in the first instance ensure that the advice contained within the Occupational Health Department Intranet site for the wearing of body armour/utility belts is being followed and that any necessary adjustments are made. Any member of staff experiencing difficulties relating to the fit of their vest should in the first instance contact the Force Tailoring Department. If problems continue to be experienced the line manager should ensure that a report is sent to the District/Department Personnel Manager requesting that arrangements are made for the individual to be referred to the Occupational Health Department for a full assessment at the earliest opportunity.

3.2 Routine Maintenance of Body Armour

All staff issued with body armour should ensure that it is periodically examined, including after cleaning to ensure its integrity is maintained. If any significant twisting, bending or creasing of the protective panels is identified, Supply Chain Management must be informed, so that replacement protective panels can be provided.

3.3 Cleaning of Body Armour

All staff issued with body armour are responsible for ensuring that it is cleaned and maintained in accordance with the instruction labels on the protective plates and covers. Supply Chain Management can be contacted for further clarification.

3.4 Storage of Body Armour

Body armour must be stored in a manner that will not effect its performance. The armour should ideally be hung up, stood up or laid flat. It should never have other items of any substantial weight on top of it.

3.5 Integrity of Body Armour after Incidents

All staff issued with body armour are responsible for having the integrity checked after any incident which may have affected it. Staff involved in a specific incident involving weapons, road traffic collisions or any other incident in which the integrity of the body armour may have been damaged, should contact Supply Chain Management in the first instance who can advise on the appropriate course of action including the issuing of any replacements if necessary.

Equality Act 2010

The Act creates a statutory requirement for all Functions and Policies (Including Procedural Instructions) to be analysed for their effect on equality, diversity and human rights, with due regard to the General Duty.

In principle, this document has been assessed for discrimination, which cannot be justified, among other diverse groups.

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action. However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy. The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Exemptions do not apply to this statement of agreed policy under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Equality Analysis will be reviewed every 3 years

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.
Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau
Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

Pursue concerns through their line manager.
Contact a First Contact Advisor.
Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.
Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.
Use procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control.

Start Date:

1 December 2004 (Amended October 2006)

Equality Analysis:

D51217 - Wearing of Personal Issue Body Armour.pdf