City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  January 15, 2008

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the Police Department’s purchase of forty (40) Pro-Tech Level III Ballistic Plates from Advantage Police Supply to be used by the Emergency Response Unit at a total cost of $16,645.

Background:   Due to the increased number of suspects utilizing weapons of rifle caliber (i.e., .223, .308, .308, 7.62mm) it is important for tactical officers to be provided protection against this threat. The current tactical body armor in use by the Emergency Response Unit allows for the addition of two (2) ballistic plates (front and rear) which increases its ballistic protection level to that which will withstand rifle-grade ammunition. These types of weapons are routinely encountered during Emergency Response Unit search warrant executions and operations. These ballistic plates offer protection to the officer’s vital areas, both to the front and rear.

The forty (40) ballistic plates will outfit twenty (20) tactical officers, which includes tactical emergency medical personnel, perimeter officers and canine handlers who are routinely assigned to Emergency Response Unit operations. The ballistic plates will have a 5-year warranty; however, we expect the lifespan to be that of 5-15 years as the plates would only be used during live-fire training and actual Emergency Response Unit operations.

Fiscal Impact:  The total cost for forty (40) Pro-Tech Level III Ballistic Plates is $16,645.  This item was approved as part of the Police Department’s C.E.P. program in the 2008 budget.

	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Prepared by: Thomas P. Bauer Chief of Police
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk