Vest questions

[Kate]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? (PLEASE say yes!)

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself?

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself?

What is the life span of a typical vest?

Sorry for all the questions. Just curious.

Thanks in advance.

[DepDog]

Of course, its also department policy.

Issued

No

We get ours replaced every 10 years.

Your welcome

[cobravenom1]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? (PLEASE say yes!);)

Believe me, I wear mine on duty. In fact, I have a vest to stop rifle rounds too in the trunk. Just in case.

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself?

Yeah, they issue. Some like yours truly upgrade at our own cost.

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself?

No permission needed as long as it is same level or higher protection issued. We get don't reimbursed.

What is the life span of a typical vest?

5yrs per most manufacturer's, I think. I need to review the paperwork.

Sorry for all the questions. Just curious.

Me too.:D

Thanks in advance.

Why are you up sooo early?:p

[Ispbear]

Yes, but not required by the department

Department Issued

No permission needed if I wanted to wear a better vest. However the department will not pay anything toward it.

Replaced every 5 years per Manufactures recommendation.

[Darin]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job?
Every time the uniform goes on the vest goes on. Even if it's just to go to court.

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself?
Issued

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself?
I can buy another on my own dime. They are very expensive so I go with my dept. issue.

What is the life span of a typical vest?
5 years per manufacturer.

[Johninaustin]

On boat patrol, no. (Kind of hard to swim with one on and we go into the water after folks on a regular basis)

Policy states it WILL be worn except for plainclothes and the above. I have two issued, we swap every 5 years.

[JakeLock]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? (PLEASE say yes!)

YES, ALSO IS DEPARTMENT POLICY HERE TO WEAR IT.

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself?

ISSUED.

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself?

WILL NOT GET REIMBURSED, AND IT MUST BE THE SAME OR HIGHER PROTECTION LEVEL. I REALLY WANT A DRAGONSKIN...

What is the life span of a typical vest?

AS HAS BEEN SAID, 5 YEARS. HOWEVER I TOOK A VEST OUT A WHILE BACK THAT WAS 20 YEARS OLD AND PUT 120 ROUNDS INTO IT. STILL WORKED LIKE A CHARM.

[sparty]

Like Darin said, the vest goes on when the uniform goes on. Although I have to admit I haven't been wearing it the past couple of months while working as an instructor at our training facility. I have two vests - one issued and one my better half bought me when my agency was slow replacing my old Second Chance vest (just one of many reasons why I'm marrying that woman). I would rather wear the non-issue vest since it's a better quality vest. The agency didn't reimburse me for the cost of the vest but it was written off on the taxes. Both will need to be replaced after five years. Unfortunately my agency doesn't mandate body armor wear except when transporting evidence (especially money and drugs). Believe it or not, probably only half wear their armor on any given day where I work.

[mcsap]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? (PLEASE say yes!)yes

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself?

they buy

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself? They are all similar

What is the life span of a typical vest?5 years

Sorry for all the questions. Just curious. apology accepted if you get me a Philly Cheesesteak

Thanks in advance.

You're welcome.

Edit to add. When I was first hired ( 1986) vests were not a big deal. My PD didn't issue them and I went 2 years before I bought my own for $300 ( 1988). I can't part with it and still use it today BUT only when I am doing DOT truck inspections and am on my back crawling underneath big trucks. If I wore my regular vest doing inspections, it would get torn up.

[Kate]

Unfortunately my agency doesn't mandate body armor wear except when transporting evidence (especially money and drugs). Believe it or not, probably only half wear their armor on any given day where I work.

It's very disappointing to read that.

I've gotten a few PM's about this thread, and as I said to someone, ANYTHING could happen on any given day.

Please wear your vest and encourage your fellow LEO's to wear their's also. If not for yourself, do it for your family.

[Kate]

apology accepted if you get me a Philly Cheesesteak

As good as Joey Vento (Geno's) is to those in LE, the best place in Philly to get a cheese steak, IMO, is at Jim's or Chink's. Dalessandro's in Roxborough used to be great, but I heard there are new owners now, and I haven't been there in a long time.

Whenever you get over this way, just let me know. It's my treat. :cool:

[steelcityk9cop]

As good as Joey Vento (Geno's) is to those in LE, the best place in Philly to get a cheese steak, IMO, is at Jim's or Chink's. Dalessandro's in Roxborough used to be great, but I heard there are new owners now, and I haven't been there in a long time.

Whenever you get over this way, just let me know. It's my treat. :cool:

I havn't had a good cheese steak with whiz since I left Philly 9 years ago.... I'd give a kidney for some pizza fries!!!

[Mike Romeo]

Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? (PLEASE say yes!) YES, anytime I put that uniform on for any reason

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself? Department issued

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Nope Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself? Nope

What is the life span of a typical vest? About 5 years

Thanks in advance.

No problem Kate.

[Kate]

I havn't had a good cheese steak with whiz since I left Philly 9 years ago.... I'd give a kidney for some pizza fries!!!

If you ever get out this way, maybe me you and mcsap can do lunch. My treat.

[stewie]

]Do you always wear your vest when you're on the job? Yes

Does your dept. issue yours, or do you have to purchase one yourself? Issued

If your dept. does issue yours and you find that's much better quality, do you have to get permission from your dept to wear it? Will your dept. reimburse you for it or give you some sort of allowance towards it if you purchase one yourself? You can upgrade out of pocket to a higher protection level (same vest) otherwise no

What is the life span of a typical vest? 5 years per manufacturer

Sorry for all the questions. Just curious.

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]