Body armour: watch your back

6 October 2021

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris is urging officers to do all they can to alleviate the possible impact of wearing body armour for too long.

His comments come as part of this week’s BackCare Awareness Week and follow the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Back to Basics initiative, which highlighted ways members reduce the effects of wearing body armour on their back and shoulders.

Darren explained: “Body armour is an essential part of modern policing – but the reality of wearing it day to day can lead to back and shoulder problems that have to be taken care of.

“Forces must do more to make sure body armour is fitted properly, checked every 12 months, and stored correctly.”

As part of the National Body Armour Working Group, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) works closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other policing organisations such as the Home Office and force health and safety leads. However, provision can vary across forces.

Federation National Board member Steve Hartshorn said: “We have been working with experts from Flint House, the Police Treatment Centres (Harrogate and Auchterarder) and the North-West Police Benevolent Fund to share ways to help ease the strain.

“We are also working with forces to remind them of their responsibility to look after officers’ welfare and encourage good practice around body armour care, storage and checks following damage.

“As a former firearms officer, I personally know the importance of properly storing body armour correctly. Colleagues need the correct storage for their armour, so they can hang this correctly and be ready to be used for the next shift.”

PFEW wellbeing lead Belinda Goodwin said: “We need to get the word out to colleagues that although body armour is mandatory – when it’s safe to do they should take it off. Far too many of our colleagues keep it on when they enter a station to do a crime report, then three hours later realise they still have it on.

“Some members also carry unnecessary items on the cover of their body armour which adds to the weight on their back, necks and shoulders. We are trying to encourage these individuals to remove items they don’t need.”

To read more about proper back care, visit backcare.org.uk/