Bullet proof vests too heavy: SAPS

genetic said:
The cops at Wynberg SAPS started gym a number of months back - part of the plan to get all the cops at the station fit and healthy.

They should do it nationally.
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I am surprised that Polmed doesn’t make gym memberships part of its benefits, since it makes for healthier members, thus less costs
 
2old4this said:
Horse shyt! The newe vests weight about 2kg! All our block watch members wear them on duty; only uncomfortable is seating in a small vehicle or have minimal leg room!
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Which bullets can it withstand. Most police forces don't have the threat of AK47 rounds, so their vests are lighter.
 
Xzib1t said:
“Police officers believe that bullet vests are too heavy and they request that the weight be reduced,” read one of the resolutions at the summit in Durban.

The call came after police chief General Bheki Cele ordered all police officers to wear bullet-proof vests when they are on duty to reduce police killings.

He sent a letter saying this to all deputy heads of police, divisional commissioners, provincial heads, commanders, the minister and the secretariat of police.

Cele said commanders at all levels would be held responsible if it was found that members did not heed this instruction.

But delegates attending the one day summit believe that it is not possible to wear them all the time because of weight.

More provincial summits on police killings are still going to be held in other provinces.

Speaking during the summit, KwaZulu-Natal community safety and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu said firearms used to kill police officers in KwaZulu-Natal were likely to be the same ones used during political violence in the province.

“There is cause for concern regarding the killings of SAPS members due to historical proliferation of various weapons during political violence,” said Mchunu.

Mchunu said the province's legacy of political violence raised the likelihood that communities were armed with dangerous weapons.

KwaZulu-Natal has the second highest number of police killings after Gauteng.

According to the latest figures, 178 police officers have been killed in the past eight years in KwaZulu-Natal. Since January 15 police officers have been killed in the province.

Mchunu said he was concerned that when political violence ended when democratic dispensation dawned in 1994, no massive arrests were made.

“We don't know how many arms are still out there. There were no massive arrests after the end of violence and people did not surrender their arms,” he said.

He said he believed there were still arms hidden by people who were involved in faction fights and political violence.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said police killings had reached proportional and unacceptable levels.

“One police killing is one too many. Criminal acts, including the killing of police officers deny and take away the most elementary human rights from our law abiding citizens.”

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Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2011/08/16/bullet-proof-vests-too-heavy-saps

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Let me be the first to say it:

Its because some of them are so unfit they cannot support the extra weight in a combat situation?
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You do not know what you are talking about. A vest with plates weighs about 12kgs - try wear that for 12 hrs and then let's see what you have to say :rolleyes:
 
DigitalSoldier said:
Back in the late 80's when my uncle wanted to join the SAPS, they did not accept him because he was too fat and had to lose the extra weight first. He was not even allowed entry into the police academy. Don't they care about your weight anymore ?
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or IQ
 
R/SGT said:
Not cheap, but definitaly worth it

LEVEL IV (4) – R 5999.00 (resistant against ALL handguns ; AK-47; R1; R4 + R5 assault rifles) – the super vest
The above vests excludes side protection, side plates are an optional extra @ R845.00. per set.
http://www.hmsecurity.co.za/index.php/security-equipment/body-armour-and-accessories.html?limit=all
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With Nationalization they will get it a lot cheaper.

Seriously - they should start doing fitness testing etc etc to get all the fatty gravy train cops out and those fat Ousie metro motorcyclists out.
 
Sounds about right

Although some of the older vests were a bit heavier, due to extra padding, which they seem to have done away with in the new vests.

The fitness level is the main problem though

Something else to remember is all the other equipment you are running around with, when I worked I carried the following

• Z88 9mm (Thigh Holster) + coiled retention lanyard
• Pepper spray (Thigh Holster)
• Handcuffs 2 sets (one on Vest, one on belt)
• Asp Extendable baton (on Belt)
• 3 spare Mags (On Belt)
• Surefire torch (On Vest)
• Leatherman (On Vest)
• Hand radio (On Vest)

Sometimes there was a R5 or shotgun which you couldn’t leave lying in the car

It all ads up and impacts on mobility

Although the PF Guys usually had no vest and a Z88 with one mag and maybe a pepper spray, so technically they should have been able to outrun us, in reality we left them in our dust.
 
I've tried on that normal blue one, don't know the name for it.. but it has white pads inside. I don't think it's that heavy, however it probably has quite an effect when working for many hours.

edit: as R/SGT said, there are many extra things you have to carry.. especially if you have a battle jacket.
 
Hemi300c said:
or IQ
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That's never been a requirement for joining the cops, but it would help. Morality tests would be even better combined with the IQ test. If he/she has an IQ of 140 we know they're lying when they pass the morality test. :p

Hemi300c said:
With Nationalization they will get it a lot cheaper.

Seriously - they should start doing fitness testing etc etc to get all the fatty gravy train cops out and those fat Ousie metro motorcyclists out.
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Fat cops, under the age of 40, should get booted - no excuse!

R/SGT said:
Sounds about right

Although some of the older vests were a bit heavier, due to extra padding, which they seem to have done away with in the new vests.

The fitness level is the main problem though

Something else to remember is all the other equipment you are running around with, when I worked I carried the following

• Z88 9mm (Thigh Holster) + coiled retention lanyard
• Pepper spray (Thigh Holster)
• Handcuffs 2 sets (one on Vest, one on belt)
• Asp Extendable baton (on Belt)
• 3 spare Mags (On Belt)
• Surefire torch (On Vest)
• Leatherman (On Vest)
• Hand radio (On Vest)

Sometimes there was a R5 or shotgun which you couldn’t leave lying in the car

It all ads up and impacts on mobility

Although the PF Guys usually had no vest and a Z88 with one mag and maybe a pepper spray, so technically they should have been able to outrun us, in reality we left them in our dust.
Click to expand...

Fitness is the main problem, EOS!
 
marine1 said:
You do not know what you are talking about. A vest with plates weighs about 12kgs - try wear that for 12 hrs and then let's see what you have to say :rolleyes:
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If you can carry 20kg of fat, you can lose it and carry 12kg of life-saving vest instead. My job doesn't bring me face to face with armed criminals, theirs does. Something they knew when they signed up.
 
HTC_guy said:
Send them to Libya, Gadaffi will get them into shape.

If that doesn't work, close down KFC!! :D
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They should rather go play tag with the protestors in the townships, that is like the Olympics all rolled into one

As for Chicken KFC is for rich people, theirs is usually compliments of a checkers, spar or pick n pay and don’t forget those dingy little take away’s where you can also get the wonderful deep fried polony

Don’t forget the good old half a loaf stuffed with everything under the sun from said dingy take aways
 
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