At the request of the National Institute of Justice, ASTM International convened a committee that included law enforcement and correctional officers, researchers and manufacturers to develop the content for ASTM E3003, Standard Practice for Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor. The standard contains information on proper measurement and fit, as well as a worksheet that an officer can use to perform an assessment of his/her body armor fit. This standard increases consistency in how measurements are taken by providing guidance to help officers and agencies properly fit ballistic-resistant body armor and stab-resistant body armor covering the torso.
See our tips for chiefs and executives for help selecting body armor.
Proper measurement is necessary to obtain sufficient coverage of the torso and vital organs while allowing the range of motion required for officer operations. Find tips for measuring your personal armor in the Personal Armor Fit Assessment checklist (PDF)—excerpted from ASTM E3003.
ASTM Standard 3003 for Body Armor
ASTM Standard 3003 Standard Practice for Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor available from ASTM International addresses correct methods for obtaining measurements for concealable (normal duty) and tactical (special duty) armor for both male and female officers. It does not address area of coverage (that is, how much of the torso is covered by the vest) nor does it address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
Internal Carrier vs. External Carrier
Some agencies prefer body armor to be worn under the duty uniform; others, over their duty uniform. The choice is a matter of agency policy. For guidance concerning the selection, procurement, use, care and maintenance, and other considerations related to ballistic-resistant body armor, consult NIJ's Body Armor Guide—Selection and Application Guide to Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor For Law Enforcement, Corrections and Public Safety, NIJ Selection and Application Guide-0101.06.
Use of External Carriers: With more and more agencies turning to external vest carriers, the question of which is better (concealable or external) is frequently asked of NIJ CTP staff. There is no right or wrong answer, as its really a matter of personal preference.
Concealable body armor allows a wearer to have a more traditional look, as it is worn under the duty uniform. All regular issued uniform items can still be worn over the uniform, such as jackets, sweaters, windbreakers, etc. External carriers are a bit larger and usually thicker. Many agencies are going to an external carrier that is made of material that matches the duty uniform shirt, so it still looks like the officer is wearing their regular duty uniform.
The external carrier also allows the wearer to easily remove body armor while completing administrative tasks when not in contact with the general public. Most external carriers provide pockets or other attachments for equipment that an officer would not have to then carry on their duty belt, such as an extra magazine for a pistol or patrol rifle or an extra set of restraints, which can potentially ease back or hip strain by better distributing the weight of this equipment.
It is extremely important to note that if an agency decides to use an external carrier made by a different company than the original manufacturer of the ballistic panels, to consult with the manufacturer of the ballistic panels and confirm with them that it is OK to do so. Failure to do this may void the original manufacturer’s warranty, as the aftermarket carrier may not be specifically tailored to the ballistic panels and either bend or fold the panels if too small, or allow the panels to shift in the carrier if too large. This could potentially alter the ballistic performance capabilities or coverage area of the panel.
When In Doubt … Check It Out. Labels Can Be Deceiving
Products that bear the ballistic panel label stating, “This model of armor has been determined to comply with the NIJ Standard-0101.06 by the NIJ Compliance Testing Program and is listed in the NIJ Compliant Products List,” should be what they are advertised to be. However, you won’t really know for sure unless you:
- Look at the model designation identified on the armor’s ballistic panel label.
- Check the Compliant Products List.
- Read the Body Armor Label Brochure (Buyer Beware) brochure
Consult the Ballistic Armor Compliant Product List to determine whether the armor model in question has actually gone through NIJ’s Compliance Testing Program. Buyer beware! Double check all products. The only way to be sure that what you have is actually NIJ tested and approved is to check the NIJ Compliant Products List.
If it isn’t listed on the CPL, it isn’t NIJ compliant. Period.
Stay safe and please … always wear your body armor.
Fact Sheet on Understanding NIJ 0101.06 Armor Protection Levels
NIJ has issued a new fact sheet for law enforcement and corrections professionals who are looking for detailed information on the levels of protection provided by NIJ compliant ballistic body armor. The publication explains existing levels of protection and what compliant products are tested against.
Download Fact Sheet on Understanding NIJ 0101.06 Armor Protection Levels PDF (200 kb)
Levels of Body Armor
Know your weapon and ammunition, know your armor level.
Important Notice!
Law enforcement and corrections officers who are looking for information about the levels of protection of ballistic body armor can find specific information regarding NIJ compliant body armors in a new, downloadable fact sheet here.
Stories like “NC Suspect Attacks Deputy With a Knife” make great headlines, but while the officer in this case was fortunate, these outcomes are not the norm nor should they be expected. Ballistic-resistant flexible body armor is generally designed to protect the wearer from handgun threats and is not intended to protect against edged or spike type weapons. Stab-resistant flexible body armor is designed to protect only against edged or spike type weapons and is not intended to protect the wearer against handgun threats. There are a small number of NIJ compliant combination armors that do provide protection against both handgun and edged/spike type of weapons, but the wearer must be sure this is the type of protection the armor provides. The best way to determine the type of protection the armor provides is to look at the armor panel label that will identify the type of protection the armor provides. If the label does not say it provides a specific type of protection, then it does not provide that type of protection. For more information on labeling, please refer to the Body Armor Label (Buyer Beware) brochure and the Selection and Application Guide to Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor for Law Enforcement, Corrections and Public Safety, NIJ Selection and Application Guide-0101.06, p. 7.
| Caliber of Weapon (Selection of body armor should at least provide protection against the officer’s own weapon) | Using This Ammunition | NIJ Body Armor Classification to Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Handgun/Pistol Ammunition: 9 mm FMJ RN or .40 S &W FMJ | Type IIA armor that is new and unworn shall be tested against two types of ammunition:
| IIA |
| Handgun/Pistol Ammunition: 9 mm FMJ RN or .357 JSP Magnum | Type II armor that is new and unworn shall be tested against two types of ammunition:
| II |
| Handgun/Pistol Ammunition: .357 SIG FMJ FN or .44 SJHP Magnum | Type IIIA armor that is new and unworn shall be tested against two types of ammunition:
| IIIA |
| Rifle Ammunition: 7.62 NATO FMJ | Type III hard armor or plate inserts shall be tested against a single type of ammunition:
| III |
| Armor Piercing Rifle Ammunition: .30 Caliber M2 AP | Type IV hard armor or plate inserts shall be tested against a single type of ammunition:
| IV |
Related Publications
- A study conducted by NIH is available can be found at the link below. Please note: an abstract of the report is available which includes a link to purchase the actual document. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26674402
- Policeone.com article: https://www.policeone.com/health-fitness/articles/8335331-Why-joint-back-and-shoulder-pain-are-common-in-cops-and-how-to-fix-it/.
- 2014 Swedish report:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266678608_UTILITY_BELT_OR_LOAD_BEARING_VEST_AN_ANALYSIS_OF_PELVIC_KINEMATICS_IN_SWEDISH_POLICE - New! Personal Armor and Fit Assessment, a checklist for officers (PDF)
- CJTEC brochure, Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor Basics (Web Viewing Version)
- CJTEC brochure, Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor Basics (Tri-Fold Brochure for Printing Version)
- Selection & Application Guide 0101.06 to Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor (PDF)
- Body Armor Label Brochure(PDF)