How much do you know about police injuries and fatalities? Unless you are on the force, you probably do not know much about the real dangers police officers face every day that they walk into their jobs. Unlike some professions when people go into the office, sit at a desk all day, and enjoy peace and quiet while they are working, police officers face potential injury and death each day that they show up on the job. That is one reason why it is so important that body armor for police exists along with a variety of body armor clothing options in order to ensure law enforcement safety each and every day.
Interested in learning more about how brave police officers throughout the United States are for facing potential danger every single day? Keep reading for more information about the realities of being a law enforcement officer in America.
4 Facts About the Dangers Law Enforcement Officers Face Every Day
When citizens see law enforcement officers wearing tactical gear or other types of body armor plates, it may spark fear. However, body armor for police is necessary in order to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers throughout the country. Without different types of body armor, these police officers would be subject to injuries or fatalities each day that they fight crime in the United States. Here are four facts about the dangers they face when they are on the job.
1. Gunshot wounds
Law enforcement officers are trained on how to use their guns if they ever need to defend or protect themselves against someone else. However, sometimes law enforcement officers have to face off against someone with a gun. In these instances, police officers risk their own safety and lives in order to take down a criminal. Due to this, there are many police officers who are injured or who lose their lives because of gun violence in the United States.
In fact, in the last 10 years, 30% of police officers who have died on the job were killed by gunshot wounds. All-in-all, gunshot wounds are the second leading causing of death for police officers. If a police officer is shot in the torso, the rate that they will die is 3.4 times higher if the police officer is not wearing the proper body armor for police. It is imperative that they wear armor vests and other tactical gear in order to help prevent any fatalities.
2. Killed with own weapon
Police officers have to be trained with their weapons. However, this does not always prevent injuries or fatalities. Some criminals are able to get the weapon away from police officers. At times, they even use the weapon against the police officer. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has found that, in the past 10 years, around 33 law enforcement officers have lost their lives due to criminals killing the police officers with their own weapons.
One way this can be prevented is if police officers wear the proper body armor. While body armor cannot protect all parts of the body, it can help in some instances. It is always encouraged that police officers protect themselves as best as they can.
3. Body armor regulations
More than 71% of local police departments throughout the United States believe in the power of body armor for police. That is why they require that their law enforcement officers wear the proper armor vests and other body armor every day they are on the job. Without such protection, more and more police officers could be injured or suffer a fatality due to an accident while serving on the job.
4. Dependability of body armor
Even when police officers are equipped with the best body armor, sometimes it is not enough to save their lives. Sometimes, ammunition from a gun can be so strong and powerful that it goes through body armor and injuries the law enforcement officer.
How do you feel about body armor for police and other tactical gear? Should police officers stay as protected as possible while on the line of duty? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
