193 replies to this topic

[hampshiresaint]

Does anyone know when us specials are going to be measured up for the change in armour?

I understand they are going round measuring up the regs at the moment.

[Burnsy2023]

6OCU are doing it very soon. My DO has already booked his fitting and I need to book mine ASAP.

[hampshiresaint]

Am I correct in thinking its Hi-Viz?

[stevec]

Yes, I have been told it will be a high viz stab vest.

[jj10]

An email has been sent to all 5 OCU officers.

[special_offer]

3OCU have dates for measuring / fitting.
I here its Hi-Viz yes

[dwae84]

Can I ask what the difference is between the old and the new body armour please? (except the hi-viz bit! )

[MC1]

Does anyone else think that hi-viz armour looks slightly cheap? I must say I would prefer the armour we have now..

[French-A]

Does anyone else think that hi-viz armour looks slightly cheap? I must say I would prefer the armour we have now..

Cumbria have the Hi-Vis body armour and i have said it time and time again that i feel it looks like Fisher Price My First Body Armour.

[bigwill]

it may look tacky but at least we have the option of not wearing hi viz jacket on patrol!! BONUS!!

Dont really care as mine is due for a upgrade anyway, as it is really worn (just to prove how much i do work)

Anyone got a pic. as mention before 5 OCU is getting theirs measure up in April.....

[French-A]

it may look tacky but at least we have the option of not wearing hi viz jacket on patrol!! BONUS!!

Dont really care as mine is due for a upgrade anyway, as it is really worn (just to prove how much i do work)

Anyone got a pic. as mention before 5 OCU is getting theirs measure up in April.....

Yeah we thought that as well

Some Sgts still insist on full high-vis jacket being work as well as the vest on routine patrol, and for Fast Roads it is a force must in Cumbria that long sleaved high-vis jacket is worn

[HuskyMusky]

So much for covert ops haha

[David]

Is the outer capable of being replaced?

Normal hi-vis jackets as we all know fade and look very shabby and dirty very quickly. The stabbies the cycling teams wear look awful after only a couple of months and I can't see them replacing the whole hi-vis stabbie as often or as happily as they do with ordinary hi-vis jackets.

[Ryan.]

I have my fitting on the 30th. In the email I received it says 'It also will be in hi-vis florescent as well.'

Could mean it comes with black and hi-vis outers?

[HampshireSam]

How similar is it to the current armour? I've been told it's probably much the same but with lighter materials.

[Ryan.]

I've been told it's lighter, more flexible and more comfortable to wear

[HampshireChris]

Personally I think its a waste, nut I see why they have to do it.

[A.Smith]

I currently have a High Vis cover (not one of the new force ones but one that my SNT has been issued with) and it does get dirty more quickly. But hey that stands to reason. Nothing a blitz in the washing machine can't sort out although the colour does fade a bit.

And yes on our district a high vis jacket is still deemed necessary at public order events, walking the town at night, RTI's etc.

[Ryan.]

Does anyone have a picture of HV armour?

[hampshiresaint]

This is what Cumbria wear...

[Ryan.]

http://www.onestopco.../P/hivizmed.jpg

I wonder if it will be this style.

[HampshireSam]

http://www.onestopco.../P/hivizmed.jpg

I wonder if it will be this style.

That one looks ridiculous. I know I don't have to wear one (yet) but the current one looks really smart personally and I never hear any officers on my team complaining about them!

[French-A]

This is what Cumbria wear...

See what i mean Fisher price body armour

I hate the stuff for the following reasons

We were told it was lighter so more comfortable yes its lighter but the pouches on it make it less comfortable

We were told it was more flexible so more comfortable yes it is more flexible so when someone punches you you feel the blow rather then with the stiffer armour, i have been kicked in the chest twice both in a similar manner by people of similar size with the old armour no injuries with the new armour 3 bruised ribs and inflamation to the chest.

We were told we wouldn't need belts anymore Try doing a cell extraction as the last man when they have nothing to grab hold of except for the body armour and then going from kneeling to 6' and then back to your backside on the floor while being choked by the body armour as the person trying to pull you backwards is only 5'7" tall

Also wearing the new armour under other things is impracticle as you cannot get to your appointments as easy

its nigh on impossible to tighten the armour enough without getting help as the straps are elasticated and need pulled around the back

for skulking at night its either look like the mitchellin man and try and wear a coat over it which wont sit as flush because of the pouches or go armour less.

[Forrest Gimp]

Hi,

I've had on good authority a description of the new Hampshire Body Armour:

The armour cover is in hi viz yellow. The panels are to HG1a / KR1 which the the NPIA National protection level that all forces are mandated to use as and when their current contractual arrangements expire. Our current spec is HG1 / KR2. The 'a' bit relates to the use of chainmail within the make up of the panels along with kevlar. This results in a far more flexible set armour so comfort is greatly increased over the current stuff. It is specific to the male and female shape so is NOT unisex. The outer yellow carrier has x4 plastic clips, plus 2 way front zip plus longer pockets. The inner part of the carrier has padding to allow the high sweat areas of the body to be held away from the carrier as much as is possible. It is not branded specific to Hampshire Constabulary.

3OCU officers have dates for fitting. Those being fitted in March expect delivery for May/June 2011.

FG

[dwae84]

Hi,

I've had on good authority a description of the new Hampshire Body Armour:

The armour cover is in hi viz yellow. The panels are to HG1a / KR1 which the the NPIA National protection level that all forces are mandated to use as and when their current contractual arrangements expire. Our current spec is HG1 / KR2. The 'a' bit relates to the use of chainmail within the make up of the panels along with kevlar. This results in a far more flexible set armour so comfort is greatly increased over the current stuff. It is specific to the male and female shape so is NOT unisex. The outer yellow carrier has x4 plastic clips, plus 2 way front zip plus longer pockets. The inner part of the carrier has padding to allow the high sweat areas of the body to be held away from the carrier as much as is possible. It is not branded specific to Hampshire Constabulary.

3OCU officers have dates for fitting. Those being fitted in March expect delivery for May/June 2011.

FG

Thanks for explaining the difference!