New vests give Wichita police a different look

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September 07, 2012|By Jim Grawe | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

by Jim Grawe

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Next time you see a Wichita police officer, he or she may be sporting a different look. Cops on patrol are starting to wear dark green vests over their shirts.

"Our old body armour vests were worn underneath our uniforms," Officer Justin Cole says. "With this we place those (bullet-proof) panels inside this external vest."

The new utilitarian style--which some may consider a bit militaristic looking--is not for fashion sake. In fact, Cole says he was a little concerned at first.

"One of the concerns I had was, whether or not I was still approachable as a police officer with this vest on versus with the traditional uniform," Cole says.

But, Cole says citizen feedback has been positive.

"I think citizens are becoming more accustomed to security personnel carrying a lot of equipment than they used to prior to 9-11," Cole says.

Officer Cole is one of only four Wichita cops wearing the vests now, but soon they'll be commonplace in the department. A big part of it is for the sake of officers' health.

"I've found I have a lot less back pain than I was experiencing prior," Cole says.

Officers have to carry more equipment than ever, and the only way to carry it has been on their belts. That includes a radio, handcuffs, a flashlight, a baton, a can of pepper spray and a small video camera. That's in addition to a handgun and taser which will still be worn around the waist.

Cole says the vests should result in fewer officers having to retire early because of injuries caused by years of carrying all those things around their waists.

Meanwhile, Cole says the new vests offer the same bullet protection as the vests worn under the shirt.

The new vests are optional. Officers pay for them out of the clothing allowance the department gives them.

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