NEWS
OFFICERS TEST BODY ARMOUR IN OPERATIONAL SETTINGS
The National Uniform Working Group (NUWG) helps shape potential future uniform requirements from which a long-term research, development and procurement strategy is considered. One of their biggest pieces of work recently has been around the new generation of body armour.
Its extensive Human Factors Assessment Framework trial saw colleagues from across the country testing out the new gear in a variety of mock operational settings. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Seb Goulding, who is based in Fulham on a Safer Neighbourhood Team, was one of those who put the new kit through its paces. He gives his views here. I recently had the privilege of taking part in the trials for the new national stab vest along with a plethora of officers from up and down the country. The trials were run at the School of Human Sciences at the University of Greenwich and I attended one session alongside two officers from West Midlands, a dog handler and an officer from the Operational Support Unit. Throughout the extensive trials, a range
of other officers of all shapes and sizes, evenly split between male and female officers, took part. They were from various departments and forces, and the aim was to get the best indication of fit and function. In all, there were 29 participants, 15 from the Met and 14 from the counties. We had four different armours to try
in six different configurations throughout the day (not the early finish that I was expecting), with representatives from the Physical Protection Group overseeing us. We also tested Supplementary Knife Resistance (SKR) jackets, one of which is
the snazzy item I am wearing in the photo. First, we got changed into uniform, donned the first vests, then made our way to a staircase for the first test. The instructions were clear: run up the stairs to test movement, but don’t go mad. Wanting to impress, I took a good run up and launched myself up the stairs… but made it a good five steps before falling flat on my face. I tried to style it out, but failed miserably, so decided to go more steadily for the rest of the day. We tried vests and plates in different
configurations, including overt and covert covers under and over clothing. Other than running up the stairs, we also did officer safety training tactics including baton strikes, unarmed tactics, ELS and all manner of obscure poses with Taser. We were all a sweaty mess by the end of all the running and jumping over obstacles, but it was useful to see which vests and plates held a comfortable position. My Met colleague Chief Inspector Jack May- Robinson even gave me the keys to a new BMW, so we could see how the vests felt as drivers and passengers and did his best not to wince while we spun around in the wet and narrowly missed parked cars and shipping containers. The testing was very thorough, with lots of feedback from participants, which I am sure will result in a lighter, more
Met Sergeant Seb Goulding.
comfortable stab vest which offers us all better protection. For police officers like me, it was
reassuring to discover first-hand about the level of detail which goes into protecting colleagues and myself. Although I hope my stab vest is never tested in a live situation, I now know from personal experience that every effort has gone into trying to keep us safe.
■ The National Uniform Strategic Board (NUSB) comprises various key stakeholders, including the Police Federation of England and Wales, National Occupational Health, the Home Office and force representatives. Feeding into the NUWG is the National Body Armour Sub-Group (NBASG), led by Chief Superintendent Roy Smith.
■ One of the biggest pieces of work in the world of uniform is a procurement process for the next generation of body armour. As well as taking the views into account of officers and staff via a national survey, NUWG ran the extensive Human Factors Assessment Framework trial which Seb attended.
21 I POLICE I DECEMBER 2021
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