Posted: 9/21/2011 10:45:17 PM EDT
| So I was just hired as a Deputy Sheriff but will be required to spend my first 2 years in the jail. The Deputies assigned to the jail still have full LE power and when not in the detention area do carry weapons. My question is would you guys suggest wearing some type of ballistic vest when working this duty or do most of you only wear one on the street? I figure the jail and courthouse are all in one and are located right in a urban downtown area. I also may be utilizing mass transit to get to work in uniform. I was leaning towards wearing one, better safe than sorry, but wanted to get some feedback from some of the more experienced officers and deputies out there. |
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If you are out in the public in uniform you should have one on. The public WILL grab the first cop they can lay eyes on in the event anything even remotely out of the ordinary happens.
I never wore on in the jail. The ballistic ones are not rated for stab anyway. |
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If you are out in the public in uniform you should have one on. The public WILL grab the first cop they can lay eyes on in the event anything even remotely out of the ordinary happens. I never wore on in the jail. The ballistic ones are not rated for stab anyway. Thats what our policy actually says "if in uniform and out of the building you WILL have on a ballastic vest." J- |
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If you are out in the public in uniform you should have one on. The public WILL grab the first cop they can lay eyes on in the event anything even remotely out of the ordinary happens. I never wore on in the jail. The ballistic ones are not rated for stab anyway. This. If you can afford it buy a vest that's rated for a piercing attack such as a knife. I always wear one on patrol but I don't think most of the ppl working in the jail wear one. Check around. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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If I worked in a jail I'd want to wear a stab rated vest. There are dual purpose ballistic/pierce protection vests out there. I believe you can buy stab rated trauma plates to add to ballistic vests as well. Good investment IMO if you aren't provided with any body armor. Don't know any specifics but I believe there are ways to get some financial help buying body armor if you aren't provided any by your department. If I'm wearing a uniform in public I want a gun, a radio, and a vest.
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I worked as a deputy in a county jail for 2 years. I never wore a vest for a few reasons: I wasn't issued one, and I couldn't afford one. I wouldn't have worn it inside the jail but there were several occasions that I wished I had one, such as transports or hospital duty.
If you have the money for one then buy one. |
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If you are in a jail setting and dont want to or can only afford a ballistic vest (not both stab and ballistic) do you know if you can wear an external carrier for transports? Easy on easy off when not needed.
I wouldnt wear the uniform in to work unless I was driving and parking in a secure location. |
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No way in hell would I ride public transportation in uniform. Seriously, WTF, change at work and feel a little safer on the way there and back..... This. Why would you wear the uniform on a bus, train, or subway. Street clothes and change at work. Never seen anyone wear body armor in a jail but I guess a concealable stab vest would be good. |
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No way in hell would I ride public transportation in uniform. Seriously, WTF, change at work and feel a little safer on the way there and back..... +1 Sure, some days might not be practical, your late or cant find a place to change, but just not worth the possible hassle. Get a bag, find a locker there, something. Besides having to be on guard all the time, a possible invite for more work or trouble than you want... blinders man. If you aint getting paid for the ride time, fawk it, leave it off. Besides, I cant imagine getting into it with some shit bag on a bus or train. Talked about locked up in a bad spot. Not including, personal or private time. Meaning if I am in uniform I follow a rule. If I carry, I wear. I know some guys dont 'cause its hot, or its "bullshit gig" but man, got a gun on, have your armor on. Remember. There is a fine line between a Officer with a weapon in a room with a bad guy....or two desperate, determined men stuck in a room with a gun. |
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I worked as a deputy in a county jail for 2 years. I never wore a vest for a few reasons: I wasn't issued one, and I couldn't afford one. I wouldn't have worn it inside the jail but there were several occasions that I wished I had one, such as transports or hospital duty. If you have the money for one then buy one. you know that there are charities/grant programs to get vest to officers/agencies that cant afford them. Let Google be your friend and find someone that will help. J- |
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You said your jail and courthouse are connected? Will you be escorting inmates to court? If so, you need to wear one. In our agency the jail deputies strictly work jail, the court deputies strictly work court. The deputies assigned to the courthouse are required to wear vests, which they are issued. When I worked the jail, I eventually bought and wore my own vest. It was only ballistic rated, but I figured it was still better protection against edged weapons than just my uniform shirt, and if I had to do a transport or perimeter check, it was much more convenient and faster if I didn't have to put on a vest first.
Some more food for thought; if you will be escorting inmates to court, essentially into a public area, does your agency require you to arm up? If not, why not? |
I'd make you find some real estate...and push it till it's tired... ...if I caught you on post without yout class III. Wear your shit. Even in my QUIET line of work. I've seen vests, properly acquired and tested, stop sharp instruments as well. A little sweat = life. I would never want to explain to a spouse (wife/husband) why their husband/wife wasn't wearing their vest...BECAUSE THEY WERE FUCKING LAZY! You want a hole...from that .357 mag...or a grape fruit sized bruise...you decide.
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I used to wear a vest as a CO after I had some ribs busted up in a cellblock brawl. I got looked at as funny by both COs and inmates, but too bad.
That was back when we had to buy our own body armor; the dept didn't buy it for us. By the time I made it to the road it was issued. Now I get looked at funny because I have an active shooter plate carrier. Most everyone else simply has a couple of extra mags or a pouch they intend to toss over a shoulder in an active shooter scenario. |
| There is no way in hell any form of cop should ever be in public, in uniform without proper armour and a full set of duty belt equipment as authorized by their appointments... Walking to work, maybe, Riding the bus, no way you would catch me doing it. Gear up properly and then head out or else change at work. Throw your kit in a duffel if you don't have a proper locker room and just wear your duty boots. |