City buying cops better bulletproof vests

Over the next two years, the city will purchase 18,000 new bulletproof vests - each at a cost of $560 - to make members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) safer.
According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Executive Budget, $12 million will be used to upgrade all officers’ vests. The NYPD now issues Second Chance Armor Inc, Level II vests. Beginning in 2007, new Redesigned Level IIIA vests that offer greater protection and more coverage of vulnerable areas will be put in use.
“Bulletproof vests are the first line of defense for the men and women of the NYPD,” Bloomberg said. “Unfortunately, not only do illegal guns flood our streets, but these guns are more sophisticated and powerful and the NYPD must constantly enhance and redesign vests to offer more and better protection. The 18,000 vests we are investing in protect against higher caliber bullets and improve coverage of the neck and side of the torso.”
There are currently two different types of vests in use by members of the Police Department on patrol, and a third by the current Police Academy class. Half of the officers on patrol use Level II vests and the other half use Level IIIA vests. The current Police Academy class uses Redesigned Level IIIA vests.
Level II vests are certified by the National Institute of Justice to stop 9mm and .357 rounds fired from 16 feet with a velocity of 1,100 feet per second. The newer Threat Level IIIA vests are certified to stop both 9mm and .44 magnum rounds fired from 16 feet with a velocity of 1,400 feet per second.
After Detective Dillon Stewart of Brooklyn was shot and killed, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly directed the NYPD and manufacturer, Second Chance Armor Inc., to redesign the Level IIIA vest in order to provide enhanced neck and side coverage and overlapping side panels to allow for changes in the body shape of the wearer.
The new Redesigned Level IIIA has been issued to the current academy class that is scheduled to graduate in late June. It will also be issued to all new recruits thereafter. Because of this agreement, 18,000 officers, 9,000 in fiscal year 2007 and 9,000 in 2008, will be fitted for Redesigned Level IIIA vests. Each vest takes 18 months to design, produce, and test.