Ford has announced that they will be offering doors on its Police Interceptor sedans and SUVs that will stop bullets. They will be the first in the United States to meet the Justice Department’s highest standard for body armor, the equivalent of a bulky SWAT team vest.
While Ford has offered factory-installed ballistic panels on its police car doors since 2008, these doors are designed to stop a .30-caliber bullet shot from a high-powered rifle.
Ford is not the first car manufacturer to offer the protection as the demand has been high in other countries for some time. Land Rover and Audi make vehicles from high-strength steel that can protect against armor-piercing bullets but they do not produce an official police vehicle.
Ford’s ballistic panels — which cover most of the door — have two layers. The outside is made from ballistic-grade ceramic tile. When a bullet hits the tile, it disperses the energy and starts to break the bullet into pieces. The inner layer is made from aramid fiber, which is the same material used for Kevlar. The fiber catches the shrapnel from the bullet.
Law Officer has been a strong voice in regards to demanding additional protection for law enforcement both in technology and training. Ambushes against law enforcement have increased in recent years and Ford’s decision is welcomed. Training in regards to ambushes is a must and we recommend one of the finest courses on the subject called The First three Seconds.