NSW Police to get new vests

June 24, 2010

NSW Police will soon have a new look with officers being issued with state-of-the-art vests similar to those worn by police in the US and Britain.

The state government has ordered 8000 of the "load-bearing vests" at a cost of $1.3 million.

NSW Police Minister Michael Daley today said about 2000 of the vests had arrived in Australia, and frontline police would begin training with them from next week.

"These vests are designed to prevent injuries, get injured officers back to work and reduce injury costs," he said in a statement.

The vests are designed to make it easier for police to carry all their equipment, which can weigh up to seven kilograms.

The new vests will distribute the weight around the upper body, instead of police carrying all their equipment around their waists on a leather belt.

The current leather belts worn by police are responsible for hundreds of injuries to officers each year because of their excessive weight.

The government tendered for the vests following the rollout of Tasers in October 2008.

The new vests have specially designed places for Tasers, capsicum spray, expandable batons, handcuffs and portable radios and will be worn in conjunction with the leather belt, which will continue to hold officers' firearms.

Ms Daley said the vests were about ensuring police have the latest in crime fighting equipment, while meeting their occupational health needs.

NSW Police Association president Scott Weber welcomed the government's announcement, saying the new vests would allow police to do their job more effectively.

"The vests will make it easier for police to carry the vital equipment they need while on the beat, while ensuring the occupational health and safety of officers is protected," he said.

"The equipment police officers are required to carry is vital to our work, but it can also be a health and safety issue for police, and that's why we have been campaigning for vests that can support the equipment we carry properly."