• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

SAFEGUARD Stealth Concealable Body Armor

August 5, 2015
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

 

PHOTO CHRIS BOYD

In March of this year, I received a request to test and evaluate a new concealable body armor manufactured by SafeGuard Armor, a company I was not familiar with at the time. I spoke with the manufacturer’s representative, Anthony McGrath, and learned that the company, based in the United Kingdom, but with operations in Rogersville, Miss. has produced a variety of body armor since 2006.

SafeGuard utilizes DuPont Kevlar materials, the leading industry standard to protect the wearer from injury. Ballistic panels are available in either level II or IIIa threat protection ratings and can also include level 1 or 2 protection against an edged weapon, a spike, or both. All vests meet the most current National Institute of Justice standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly after our conversation, the vest arrived. I was impressed that the vest came with its own durable nylon carry bag, which I learned is standard procedure for vests supplied by SafeGuard. (When available from other manufacturers, this is usually an added option at an additional cost.) Since I had only provided a generic size, I was concerned that the fit may not be what I am accustomed to—every vest I’ve worn in the last 26 years has been custom fit, with the vendor taking personal measurements and the vest made to those specifications. The upside to this process is the best fit possible. The downside is a relatively long wait between order and delivery. The SafeGuard vest arrived in just three days and I can honestly say that the fit was as good as any I’ve experienced.

I inspected the vest and saw that the panel carrier resembled a football jersey in the sense that it had literally hundreds of tiny holes cut into the material. This is part of the CoolMax design, and works effectively to aid in cooling. Two other observations I made were that there were no over-the-shoulder adjustment straps and that the side waist straps joined two in the back into one in the front. While I was initially concerned that the lack of over-the-shoulder straps might be problematic (there was no way to adjust the vest up and down for fit), my concern proved unfounded. The side straps were very effective at securing the vest while not being uncomfortable to wear. Unlike some vests I’ve worn, the side panels themselves were comfortable even though they overlapped somewhat, which did cause a slight visible protrusion beneath my uniform shirt. There was more than adequate protection while still allowing for a full and unencumbered range of motion.

Since my current assignment is working plainclothes in vice and narcotics, I do not wear body armor on a regular basis. In order to effectively evaluate this vest, I wore the ballistic panels in an external carrier while conducting warrant services and gang sweeps as well as during firearms and defensive tactics training. I also wore it in its concealable carrier during required uniformed events.

Switching the ballistic panels back and forth between the concealable carrier and the external carrier was quite easy to do as a result of a convenient zipper on the bottom of both the front and back carrier. This is also a nice feature for routine laundering of the carrier. In order to properly evaluate its daily comfort, I also wore it beneath a t-shirt on some occasions. Based upon the past four months with the vest, I can attest to the comfort of the ballistic panels as well as the effectiveness of the CoolMax carrier.

 

 

 

 

 

SAFEGUARD ARMOR

PROS:

  • CoolMax design aids in cooling
  • Good fit
  • Variety of ballistic options offered, including ballistic, spiked and edged blade protection in different threat levels as well as concealable, external carriers, helmets, plates (ceramic, polyethylene and poly composite), etc.
  • Priced competitively
  • Nice carry bag was included

CONS:

  • Currently only available in black & white outer carrier colors for concealable models (tan & green would be nice for those who wear those uniform colors)

 

 

 

 

 

CHRIS BOYD is a 26-year veteran of the Carlsbad (Calif.) Police Department. He has worked patrol, K-9, motors, and investigations. He is currently assigned as a sergeant supervising vice and narcotics. He is also the entry element team leader on SWAT and the department’s range master.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: ColumnistOfficer SafetyResearch And AnnouncementsReviewsSpecial Assignment & TeamsSpecial TopicsSpecial TopicsTactics & Weapons
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Alarming Trends Show Officer Attacks Up 64% Amid a 29% Decline in Arrests in the last 11 Years

August 11, 2024
personal space

Proxemics (Personal Space) and Officer Survival

April 18, 2024

Ice Cube: “cops have a ‘win and make it home’ philosophy”

August 5, 2023
dangers lurking

Dangers Lurking Around the Corner

June 7, 2023
pursuit

Tactical Considerations During Foot Pursuit

March 13, 2023
Source: National Fraternal Order of Police

A Dangerous Year for Law Enforcement

December 30, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

The Problem with Promotions

June 20, 2025
Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025

‘Completely blew it’: Former union president calls out Minneapolis Police Department leadership missteps

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com