ST. LOUIS (AP) - Some St. Louis-area officers say they are concerned their body armor is not strong enough in the wake of police killings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jeff Roorda, business manager for the St. Louis Police Officers Association and St. Louis County Police Association, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the union has met with city police leaders to discuss more protective ballistic vests and other ways to protect officers.
"These ambush situations are petrifying," Roorda said. "It's the thought of, without warning or provocation or the opportunity to defend yourself, somebody is going to take your life for no reason."
St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said the city's ballistic vests last about five years and the department is seeking bids for new ones, with input from the union. According to Dotson, the department is looking to provide vests that have ballistic protection and are wearable because if the vests are too heavy or hot, officers will not wear them.
"I understand the officers' fear and concern, and we can continue to add protective gear to them, but we're not addressing the issue, and that is the ability of criminals to get guns and shoot police officers," Dotson said. "That's where our attention needs to be put."
Roorda said some officers have bought rifle-resistant vests with their own money.
Some departments, including St. Louis County police, already have rifle-resistant vests due to donations.
Maryland Heights Chief Bill Carson, chairman of the St. Louis Area Police Chief's Association, said gunfire protection was among the concerns discussed by the executive board last week.
"Those offenders in Dallas and Baton Rouge used weapons that will punch through a lot of police body armor," Carson said. "A lot of departments are recognizing that there are more assault rifles on the street and they need to look at additional protection for their officers."
The Police Foundation and Civic Progress have provided enough money to equip every county police patrol county with ceramic plates that slide into a vest-style carrier.
According to Roorda, the donated equipment is not enough for every county officer, so some have purchased their own.
The foundation's executive director, Michelle Bagwell, said the nonprofit has not received any requests from city police for the equipment.