GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PERSONNEL
TITLE: BODY ARMOR
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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BODY ARMOR
1012.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide officers with guidelines for the proper use of body armor.
1012.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to maximize officer safety through the use of body armor in combination with prescribed safety procedures. While body armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a substitute for the observance of officer safety procedures.
1012.3 ISSUANCE
The Professional Services shall ensure that body armor is issued to all officers and that, when issued, the body armor meets or exceeds the standards of the National Institute of Justice.
Body armor shall be issued when an officer begins service at the Lincoln Police Department and shall be replaced when the body armor becomes worn, or damaged to the point that its effectiveness or functionality has been compromised or has reached the manufacturer's expiration date.
The Chief of Police may authorize issuance of body armor to uniformed, Support Staff members whose jobs may make wearing of body armor advisable.
1012.3.1 USE
Generally, the required use of body armor is subject to the following:
(a) Members shall only wear department-approved body armor.
(b) Members shall wear body armor any time they are in a situation where they could reasonably be expected to take enforcement action.
(c) Members shall wear body armor when working in uniform.
(d) Members are not required to wear body armor when they are functioning primarily in an administrative or support capacity and would not reasonably be expected to take enforcement action.
(e) Officers may be excused from wearing body armor when they are involved in undercover or plainclothes work that their supervisor determines could be compromised by wearing body armor, or when a supervisor determines that other circumstances make it inappropriate to mandate wearing body armor.
In those instances when body armor is not worn, officers should have reasonable access to their body armor.
1012.3.2 INSPECTION
Supervisors should ensure through routine observation and periodic documented inspections that body armor is worn and maintained in accordance with this policy.
Annual inspections of body armor should be conducted by a person trained to perform the inspection for fit, cleanliness and signs of damage, abuse and wear.
1012.3.3 CARE AND MAINTENANCE
The required care and maintenance of body armor is subject to the following:
(a) Members are responsible for inspecting their body armor for signs of damage, wear and cleanliness at the start of each shift.
Unserviceable body armor shall be reported to the supervisor.
(b) Members are responsible for the proper storage of their body armor.
Body armor should not be stored for an extended period of time in an area where environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, light, humidity) could potentially degrade its effectiveness.
(c) Members are responsible for the care and cleaning of their body armor pursuant to the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Body armor should not be exposed to any cleaning agents or methods not specifically recommended by the manufacturer.
Failure to follow manufacturer’s care instructions may damage the ballistic performance capabilities of the body armor. If care instructions for the body armor cannot be located, the manufacturer should be contacted to request the instructions.
(d) Body armor should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended replacement schedule, or when its effectiveness or functionality has been compromised.
1012.4 FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the Chief Firearms Instructor include, but are not limited to:
(a) Monitoring technological advances in the body armor industry for any appropriate changes to department-approved body armor.
(b) Assessing the level of weapons and ammunition currently utilized by the public and the suitability of approved body armor to protect against those threats.
(c) Educating officers about the safety benefits of wearing body armor.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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