POLICE officers in the line of fire with killer gangsters are wearing expired or ineffective bulletproof vests.The lawmen include the Guard and Emergency Branch police constable who was shot in his chest last week while on duty as a gang war broke out at St. Paul Street, Port of Spain.The bullet penetrated the aged bulletproof vest, according to senior police sources.Several officers from various tactical divisions are being assigned vests that are several years old and unable to withstand high-powered bullets, it was explained.There is also a shortage of vests, and some officers venture into criminal zones without body armour, the sources said.There are five body armour ballistic levels, some designed to prevent knife assaults and others that avert various calibre ammunitions.The lifespan of most vests does not exceed five years.But officers of tactical units are routinely assigned vests that are old, expired or defective, the police sources revealed.In some cases, officers have bought their own vests.Some officers said they have had the same vests for at least 10 years, and the material has been badly degraded.One security expert said that most top-quality vests could still be used after its guaranteed period, “but it is unacceptable to have them in use for years after that.”He added: “With the types of weapons in the hands of criminals, best practice is for our officers to be outfitted with the most durable and effective vests from the top brands.“These should be put to use no later than the expiry of the warranty date.”The Police Service Social and Welfare Association has termed bulletproof vests “an essential tool of the trade” for officers facing “dangerous confrontations.”The administration of the Police Service has not acknowledged the urgent issue and has only said that officers’ safety and security are a priority.But officers are increasingly concerned about the risks they face on the field and want the leadership of the Police Service to procure and disburse the best available vests on a timely basis.Policemen referred to the shooting at St. Paul Street and at other crimes and said the provision of life-saving equipment and accessories must be made a frontline issue.The bulletproof matter adds to other challenges, including a management shortage and defective vehicles, even as Trinidad and Tobago is besieged with its worst-ever crime crisis.
