Current Criminal Justice or Security Policy Issue - Essay Example

After a one-year demonstration phase and testing of the 5,000 life vests distributed to 15 police departments, except our department, 18 shooting occurrences ensued in which the Kevlar body armor was able to shield the officers successfully (DOJ, 2005). However, the utilization of body armor has not been effectively implemented in our Agency - the X-007 Agency. This only means law enforcers under our office are not well protected. There have been shooting occurrences in the past in which, agents under our department have gone to the scene of the crime without a body armor as a protection.

The rising incidents of criminality in our community, especially gun shooting incidences where armed robbers and armed men attack banks and other business establishments cause alarm on our local community. Our department was also alarmed as the safety and security of our agents is at stake. Thus, the agency plans to implement a body armor wearing guidelines for the 25 member enforcers of this local agency. In implementing this policy, the agency needs to bear in mind the issues with regards the choice of body armor to purchase.

The Second Chance armor, for instance worn by a police officer in Forest Hills failed to protect him and thus when he got shot the bullet pierced through his armor and fatally wounded the enforcer. Studies show that armors made of Zylon or Kevlar deteriorate after a period of time as a result of environmental factors. Thus, in implementing this policy, the agency decided that the Kevlar armor, National Institute of Justice certified vests, will be used but only for a limited period of time. As of now, the agency is waiting for the results of the experiments of the National Institute of Justice which will provide for the duration the Kevlar vests could be used.

As the vest deteriorate easily as a result of some environmental and chemical factors, the the NIJ report can also enlighten us on how to care for the vests. The manufacturer of the body armor also provided kits in which the officers will find inserts and extra thin padding for protection. This inserts will also provide care for the vests. The vests will be provided for by the purchasing department and should be worn at all times by the officers during their time of duty. For the effective implementation of this policy, guidelines in wearing the vests will be provided for in writing to the officers involved.

Officers on active duty who are found not wearing the vest will be penalized as the agency. As the officers comprise of 25 agents, one agent will be tasked to check and record as well as write reports of the uses of the new vests. Partners must another partner if the other is wearing the vest or not. It is the responsibility of the police partners to check the other. If a police partner notices that the other is not wearing the vest during his time of duty, the officer must inform his supervisor immediately by writing a report ((Putt and Springer 1982).

A monthly incidence report must also be written by the supervisor on the wearing of the vests, the incidences that occurred while the vests are worn, the condition of the vests and the conditions of the wearer as well. If vests appear to have deteriorated, the supervisor and the officer who used the vest must submit a report and inform