The terrorist attacks claimed 2,977 lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93. For America’s public safety community, September 11 also demonstrated what the oath to protect others can require.

 Law Enforcement’s Sacrifice 

Police officers were among the first to respond to the World Trade Center and among those who paid the highest price. The FBI recorded 72 law enforcement officers killed as a result of the attacks. Twenty-three were members of the New York City Police Department. Another 37 were members of the Port Authority Police Department – the largest loss of personnel by a single American police force in one event.

Yet, statistics tell only part of the story.

Officers evacuated buildings, cleared streets, helped the injured, and tried to establish order as conditions changed by the minute. Some had been dispatched. Others simply saw what was happening and responded.

FBI Special Agent Leonard W. Hatton was traveling to work when he saw smoke and fire coming from the North Tower. He went directly to the World Trade Center and joined FDNY firefighters evacuating people. He was still inside when the towers collapsed. His actions were extraordinary, but the instinct behind them was repeated throughout that morning.

 A Public Safety Loss without Precedent 

Nearly 1,000 FDNY firefighters deployed to the World Trade Center and 343 died that day. Firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, communications personnel, medical personnel, and others responded in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville.

Many remained long after the cameras were gone. Rescue became recovery. Personnel searched debris, collected evidence, recovered remains, and assisted victims’ families.

For law enforcement, an enormous investigative responsibility was also beginning. The FBI launched PENTTBOM, the largest investigation in Bureau history. More than 4,000 special agents and 3,000 professional employees participated, pursuing more than half a million leads and conducting more than 167,000 interviews.

 The Toll Did Not End in 2001 

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund recognizes 535 additional law enforcement officers who later died from illnesses associated with their 9/11 response. Together with the original 72, the number of officers honored for 9/11-related deaths stands at 607.

The FDNY has likewise reported more than 400 members lost to World Trade Center-related illnesses since the attacks. The federal World Trade Center Health Program now serves nearly 150,000 responders and survivors nationwide.

 How 9/11 Changed Policing 

September 11 reshaped American law enforcement. The attacks underscored the need for stronger communication and intelligence sharing among local, state and federal agencies. Counterterrorism became a responsibility extending far beyond Washington and New York.

Today, approximately 200 FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces operate around the country, while fusion centers provide state and local hubs for sharing threat information. Training, communications, emergency planning, and interagency relationships have evolved. The underlying responsibility has not.

Law enforcement must prepare for dangers not yet visible, recognize warning signs, share information, and respond when prevention fails, while continuing to protect the constitutional rights and freedoms the profession exists to defend.

 They Reported for Duty 

There is now an entire generation of public safety personnel with no personal memory of September 11. That makes remembrance more important, not less.

Those entering the profession today should understand not only what happened, but what their predecessors did when confronted by it.

They established evacuation routes and perimeters. They carried the injured. They searched rubble. They guarded critical infrastructure. They worked crime scenes of unprecedented size and investigated hundreds of thousands of leads. Many continued serving while carrying illnesses caused by their work at the attack sites.

Some never returned home. Others returned home, but ultimately surrendered their lives years later.

On this 25th anniversary, we remember all 2,977 people murdered on September 11, 2001, and the families who have lived with that loss for a quarter century.

Within the public safety community, we offer particular remembrance to the police officers, federal agents, firefighters, EMS personnel, and emergency workers who answered when their nation needed them.Their legacy lives in every officer who reports for duty and every public safety professional who accepts a simple, but profound, responsibility: When others need help, we go.

The Guide features a variety of on demand training; resources to request live training; tools; where to find free elder abuse multidisciplinary team consultations; public outreach materials; and more.

To download a copy of the “Law Enforcement Elder Justice Resource Guide,” visit https://tinyurl.com/2x5zm2xd

The ballistic protection industry has seen steady advancements over the past year, with new upgrades and design enhancements improving armor effectiveness. Here’s a look at some of the latest developments.

Adept Armor

Adept’s new Nova Titanium is a high cut titanium combat helmet designed to deliver steel helmet toughness at polyethylene (PE) helmet weight, with low backface deformation and an indefinite shell service life.

Weighing approximately 2.02 pounds in size L/XL, including shell, pads, retention, and hardware, Nova Titanium is rated to stop 9mm FMJ at 1,312 ft/s with low backface deformation. Its continuous 260LC titanium armor shell provides edge-to-edge protection without the resin matrix used in composite helmets, meaning it will not delaminate; degrade from UV exposure; or corrode from salt air, sweat, rain, oils, fuels, or most solvents.

Adept positions Nova Titanium as a lighter, tougher, longer lasting alternative to premium PE helmets which can be expensive, thicker, softer shelled, and limited by finite service life. The titanium shell offers visible impact damage, strong multihit tolerance, a closer fit, smaller silhouette, and long-term durability.

Available in M and L/XL sizes and Black, Green, and Raw Titanium, Nova Titanium uses Adept’s NovaSteel retention and pad system. (ade.pt)

Armored Devices Corporation

Armored Devices has introduced the RAPA (Rifleman’s Armored Protective Apparatus), a new protective system designed to provide rifle-rated coverage for upper body areas not protected by standard SAPI plates, including portions of the face, head and neck.

A key feature of the RAPA is its patented rifle support arm which supports the rifle from beneath the barrel and replaces the shooter’s support hand. This allows rifle carrying personnel to maintain weapon control while gaining added ballistic protection in high-risk environments.

The RAPA is recommended for close quarters combat and SWAT applications, particularly for rifle operators positioned behind a lead ballistic shield. Standard protection is RF2-rated and designed to stop 5.56 x 45mm M855 at 3250 feet per second.

Armored Devices also offers full-size ballistic shields equipped with the same rifle support arm technology. (armoreddevices.com)

ArmorSource

ArmorSource is expanding production after receiving a $17.6 million contract to manufacture and deliver 25,000 Advanced Combat Helmet Gen II (ACH Gen II) systems for the US Army. The ACH Gen II is engineered to provide advanced ballistic protection while reducing overall helmet weight and improving comfort for the warfighter.

The contract award comes as ArmorSource continues to invest in helmet innovation and user comfort. The company recently introduced its AireLink Prime retention system, featuring independent left side and right side micro-adjustments for improved fit and stability. ArmorSource has also expanded its suspension offerings with the AireSupport Max 3D platform, designed to help reduce blunt impact forces while improving comfort during extended wear. (armorsource.com)

BlueRidge Armor

BlueRidge Armor is advancing its protective equipment lineup for law enforcement with the TRIBUTE Series soft body armor system and an updated standard feature package for its VENGEANCE X8 hard armor ballistic shield line.

Developed exclusively for law enforcement, the TRIBUTE Series is a lightweight, flexible personal protection system designed to provide dependable everyday ballistic coverage for officers serving in patrol, border security and other public safety assignments. The armor combines durable technical composites and specialty fabrics with an emphasis on comfort, flexibility and high ballistic performance.

The TRIBUTE Series is tested under the latest NIJ 0101.07 certification process and is available in HG1 and HG2 ballistic threat protection levels. BlueRidge Armor positions the system as a tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who wear the badge and place themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities.

BlueRidge Armor has also updated the standard feature package for its VENGEANCE X8 hard armor ballistic shield platform, expanding its protection, handling and carry capabilities for law enforcement and tactical users. The VENGEANCE X8 is available in XLR (Xtra-Lite Rifle) and SLR (Standard Lite Rifle) composite ballistic configurations.

Standard X8 features include the company’s weapon mount shield platform, VENGEANCE Viewport, high-performance ballistic composite construction, ultralight composite bezel protection, rifle-rated ballistic hardware, and 360 degree edge protection with slide rack indicators. Handling features include a ten inch carbon fiber ambidextrous handle, a high-density impact absorbing forearm pad and an adjustable lower forearm strap.

Each shield includes black polyurea coated ballistic components, a custom ID placard, a single point sling with shield hook, and an X8 zippered carry bag with a shoulder strap. The VENGEANCE X8 is offered in 18 inch by 30 inch and 20 inch by 34 inch sizes, with weights ranging from approximately 17 to 23 pounds depending on shield size, ballistic configuration and lighting options.

BlueRidge Armor plans to expand the VENGEANCE Series in the fourth quarter of 2026 with new X8-HG2 handgun-rated and X8-RF1 ASTM-rated ballistic shield models. (blueridgearmor.com)

Hardwire^® LLC

Hardwire has expanded its rifle protection line with two lightweight In-Conjunction-With (ICW) armor plates designed for law enforcement, corrections and tactical users.

The Hardwire Level III ICW Rifle Plate provides NIJ Level III rifle protection when worn with approved soft armor. Made with advanced polyethylene, the 10″ x 12″ shooter’s cut plate weighs just 1.98 pounds and measures 0.62 inches thick. It is available in shooter cut and SAPI sizes from X-Small through X-Large.

For enhanced protection, Hardwire also offers its Level III+ ICW Rifle Plate, NIJ Certified as model #IMPAC C1.4 ICW HW-2019-01-SB and available through Safariland^®. It is designed for use with Hardwire’s 0.68 psf Soft Armor Backer, model #HW-2019-01-SB.

Both plates work with the soft armor officers already wear, reducing weight and bulk while helping maintain mobility during patrol, active shooter response, warrant service, corrections, and tactical operations. (hardwirellc.com)

RMA Armament

RMA Armament has added Generation 2 upgrades to its Level IV armor line, making its plates lighter and thinner while maintaining multihit Level IV/RF3 protection.

The leading model, the 1165 Gen2, weighs 5.3 pounds in a 10″ x 12″ Shooter’s Cut and measures just 0.7 inches thick. It features a Hypure Alumina strike face, Dyneema^® UHMWPE, multicurve construction, and edge-to-edge ballistic coverage. A 9.5″ x 12.5″ SAPI version weighs 6.1 pounds, with an 11″ x 14″ size expected in summer 2026.

The upgraded 1155 Gen2 weighs 6.6 pounds in a 10″ x 12″ Shooter’s Cut and measures 0.9 inches thick. The 9.5″ x 12.5″ SAPI version weighs 7.4 pounds. It also offers multicurve comfort, edge-to-edge protection and multihit Level IV/RF3 performance. (rmadefense.com)

RTS Tactical

Although not brand-new for 2026, RTS Tactical has two recent rifle-rated shield offerings: the Tactical LEGION Ballistic Shield and the Tactical Centurion Ballistic Shield.

Each is rated to NIJ 0101.07 RF1, the rifle threat protection level which replaces NIJ 0101.06 Level III, and is tested against 7.62×51mm M80 Ball, 7.62×39mm MSC and 5.56mm M193 threats.

A key feature of both models is RTS Tactical’s patented boltless viewport design which eliminates bolts and adhesives through the glass to reduce traditional weak points and provide a zero gap protective barrier. Hardened RF1-rated ballistic bolts are designed to maintain structural integrity under impacts from multiple angles, while heavy-duty rubber corner bumpers help absorb shock and protect the shield during field use.

The LEGION Ballistic Shield RF1 is designed to deliver rifle-rated protection in a compact, lightweight platform. It is available in 18″ x 32″ at 16.8 pounds and 20″ x 36″ at 19.3 pounds, giving teams options for maneuverability and coverage.

The Centurion Ballistic Shield RF1 is also built for fast-moving tactical operations and close quarter environments. Its single curve architecture is designed for balance, control and easier movement through doorways and tight spaces. It is available in 18″ x 32″ at 17.5 pounds and 20″ x 36″ at 20 pounds. (rtstactical.com)

Southwest Armor Technologies

Southwest Armor Technologies (SWAT Armor) has developed a fully injection moldable rifle plate system designed to improve armor piercing protection, reduce blunt trauma and increase manufacturing efficiency. Its patented axial-displacement matrix uses aerospace-grade thermoplastics and engineered geometric structures to disrupt a projectile’s path without adding significant weight or thickness.

Unlike conventional ceramic-faced plates which can be fragile and labor intensive to produce, SWAT Armor’s multilayer thermoplastic solution can be molded on a single machine. The company says the process can produce approximately 10,500 plates in 30 days, compared with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 conventional plates per month. (swatarmor.com)

Spartan Armor Systems^®

Spartan Armor Systems is highlighting two discreet Level IIIA soft armor solutions designed to fit into everyday routines. Its 11″ x 14″ Backpack Armor Panel uses Flex Fused Core^® technology and aramid fibers to provide handgun-rated protection in backpacks, laptop bags and school packs. The panel weighs approximately 1.45 pounds, measures 0.35 inches thick and is designed to fit most bag compartments without significantly reducing comfort or storage space.

The company’s Flex Fused Core Level IIIA Executive Protection Package combines a low profile, breathable protection shirt with 10″ x 12″ front and back panels plus 5″ x 7″ side panels for concealable 360 degree coverage. Available in sleeved and sleeveless versions, the machine washable system is intended for executives, security personnel, public officials, and other professionals seeking lightweight, flexible handgun protection which can be worn discreetly under everyday clothing. (spartanarmorsystems.com)

Super Seer Corporation

Defense in Motion (DIM) is the first lightweight ballistic motorcycle helmet platform engineered specifically for modern law enforcement operating in motion. Meeting both DOT vehicular impact standards and NIJ ballistic standards, DIM eliminates the long-standing choice between mobility and firearm protection.

Purpose-built (not modified), DIM integrates vehicular impact resistance, ballistic protection and all-day operational comfort into a single system. Its lightweight ballistic carbon fiber shell reduces fatigue while maintaining critical protection, supported by Super Seer’s Dynamic Impact Mitigation System (DIMS) to manage blunt and ballistic forces.

Designed for motorcycle, ATV and mobile tactical operations, the platform features dual-strap retention for stability at speed, modular mission configurations and full agency customization. American made and developed with direct law enforcement input, Defense in Motion sets a new benchmark in head protection for officers. (superseer.com)

United Shield International

United Shield International’s Viper ICW Insert Plate provides Level III+ (RF2) rifle protection when worn with the company’s certified Level II or IIIA soft armor. The polyethylene and ceramic, multicurve shooter’s cut plate is tested against M80 7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm PS Ball, M855 5.56mm Green Tip, and M193 5.56mm threats.

At just 0.7 inches thick, the Viper is designed for patrol and tactical use, combining a streamlined profile with multi-strike protection. It is also tested as a stand-alone special threat plate against 5.56mm and 7.62x39mm ammunition. Sizes range from X-Small to X-Large, with weights from 2.2 to 4.5 pounds.

United Shield’s Phantom Ballistic Shield offers NIJ 0108.01 Level III (RF1) multi-strike protection in a lightweight, 0.5 inch thick design. Built with proprietary polyethylene-based technology, it is tested against M80 7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm PS Ball and M193 5.56mm threats.

The flat profile shield includes a three inch by nine inch viewport and is available in 20 inch x 34 inch and 24 inch x 48 inch sizes. The smaller model provides 677.5 square inches of coverage and weighs from 18.8 to 20.95 pounds, depending on handle configuration. Standard finish is a black CORDURA^® wrap with a velour rear surface. (us.unitedshield.com)

I’m writing this column from the other side of the Earth.

Yes, once again, I’m in India, sweltering in heat and humidity which makes me long for Miami weather, as hard as that is to imagine. Once more, wherever I go in the world, I can’t help but be drawn to the police: What are they wearing? What are they carrying? What are they doing? I’ll start with Bali.

Since we were vacationing in this part of the world, we decided to take a side trip to Bali. It was my first venture south of the equator and what struck me first was the traffic. In the five days we were there, I saw a total of one police vehicle and it was parked. I saw no patrol of any kind; no traffic cops managing intersections. Incredibly, the flow of vehicles (85% of them motorbikes) is intense, constant and unrelenting, yet it’s also extremely orderly. People stay in lanes; they don’t honk; and they wait in patient, single file lines for traffic lights. This contrasts wildly with the city of Kolkata (in West Bengal, India) where I am currently. Here, the traffic is an absolute circus of swerving motorbikes, auto rickshaws, cars, trucks, and pedestrians, all moving with the urgency of a freshly kicked anthill, to the never-ending symphony of beeps and honks. It’s truly astonishing: Everyone misses each other by inches (this is no exaggeration), yet everyone seems completely unbothered, dodging each other and bustling for position – lanes be damned. The skill of drivers here is truly impressive. Besides the organized chaos of Kolkata’s crowded streets, the steering wheels are on the right and you drive on the left side of the road. I would not attempt to drive here unless at gunpoint.

The police here are slightly more visible than in Bali, but, rather than patrolling, they are usually on the way from one point to another on main roads. To see a police car on one of the narrow residential streets is rare. In the six years I have been coming here during the summer, I had seen one accident, and it was minor. That changed the other day.

My wife and I were en route to a shopping mall in an Uber. It was a typical, 15-30 mph, stop-and-go ride, when our driver hit the brakes hard to avoid a swerving motorbike and the guy behind hit us. It was a minor jolt. Our driver looked in the rearview mirror, said nothing and kept going. No one stopped to get out and assess damage; there was no exchange of driver information. Everyone here is far more intent on getting to their destination than they are worried about a small dent in their bumper.

As a former homicide detective, I was curious about the homicide rate here. This is a city of 16 million, about three times the population of Miami-Dade County, where I live, and their per capita homicide rate (homicides per 100,000 residents) is .2 – yes, you read that right, 2/10 of one percent. Miami-Dade has calmed down significantly since my days in homicide, registering a very tame 6.45 rate in 2024. Back in the 1980s (the cocaine cartel days), we led the nation with a staggering rate of 30. But, it’s not fair to compare two such disparate cultures. Nationwide, Kolkata’s homicide rate is the lowest amongst all of the major cities. New Delhi, the capital, has the highest rate with 2.3.
If the victim demographics are anything like most jurisdictions everywhere, the majority of these murders will be domestic related. So, the average person’s potential to be a victim of violence here is pretty much nil. At shopping centers, ATMs and food stalls, I saw why this could be: The people here have infinite patience, far more than we Westerners do. They’ll stand patiently in a long line, or at a traffic light – even while three motorbikes come sneaking up and get right in front of your car – without a word of hostility, anger or without flipping anyone off. I suppose it could be a quiet acceptance that, in a city of 16 million people, you have little choice but to be patient. You’re not going to get the traffic to move faster by getting upset; the honking isn’t done out of anger or impatience – it’s simply a way to say, “Hey, I’m over here on your right.” You would think that the lack of police presence would embolden people to commit more crimes, but the truth, I learned, is that this could be extremely hazardous to one’s health. You see, here, the citizens have taken Sir Robert Peele’s philosophy to heart: The police are the public and the public are the police. If you snatch someone’s chain or purse on a crowded street, there is an excellent likelihood that you will be instantly chased down by a group of citizens and gleefully beaten to a pulp. They might call the police after the pummeling.

The other day, I was waiting for my wife to finish up some shopping and I wandered down the street in search of India’s favorite soft drink, Thums Up^®. It’s very much like Coca-Cola^®, but with a slightly richer taste. The guy at the stall I went to didn’t have it, but a random dude standing nearby heard me and pointed down the street to another stall. Then, he said, in broken English, “Come, I’ll show you.” He walked me down the crowded block to a vendor who had a nice cold Thums Up (for which I paid the equivalent of eighteen cents). I’m sure there are some nasty folks here, like everywhere else, but for the most part, all I’ve encountered are calm, happy, helpful folks.

I didn’t get a chance to talk to any of the cops here, but I feel for them; their pay is minimal, to the point where the police departments have dorms they can apply to live in for free. There won’t be anything luxurious about the living arrangements, but it might be better than whatever they would have to settle for outside the police housing. Very few cops can afford their own cars here and use either motorbikes, bicycles or public transit to get to work. Like most of the populace, they hang their clothes out to dry on clotheslines. Why? Because dryers take up too much space in typically small apartments, but mostly because electricity is extremely expensive. That lifestyle doesn’t make people here “poor.” No, poor is what I saw at a large, outdoor shopping bazaar, where I saw an entire family living under an expressway, the children barefoot and running around on grimy streets. Poor is seeing those folks get their water from the hand pumps which the city turns on twice a day. I could go on.

If you’re guessing that my message is “be grateful for what we have,” then, yes, that is pretty much the point I am making – not just police-wise, but as a culture in general. I think we could all use some more patience, some more acceptance of things we can’t change. Maybe we could – for a few magic moments – forget what political side we support and, instead, just lend a random person a helping hand, even if it is to go get a Thums Up.

I’ll be back stateside in one week and I’ll enjoy – as I always do – the comforts of home. But, I’ll always remember what the other side of the Earth (indeed, most of the world) deals with on a daily basis. Tomorrow is July 4^th, so happy belated Fourth to you all. I would add, “God bless America,” but rest assured, God has already done so.

Ramesh Nyberg retired from law enforcement in November 2006 after 27 years of police work. He lives in Miami and teaches criminal justice at a local high school. He also teaches regional law enforcement courses through Training Force, USA. He enjoys getting feedback from readers and can be reached at ramesh.nyberg@gmail.com. Also, Ram has written a new book, Badge, Tie and Gun: Life and Death Journeys of a Miami Detective, which is available on Amazon in both Kindle eBook and paperback. You can find it by visiting amazon.com/dp/B0CTQQKQTV

Images courtesy of Dana Safety Supply

A patrol vehicle is one of the most important pieces of equipment a law enforcement agency will ever purchase. It is also one of the easiest to get wrong.

Today’s police vehicle is no longer simply a sedan, SUV or pickup with a light bar, radio and prisoner partition. It serves as a mobile office, emergency response platform, communications hub, prisoner transport area, equipment storage system, and highly visible symbol of public safety.

That makes the upfitting process more important than many agencies may realize. A poorly planned build can create problems which hang around for years: dead batteries, unreliable electronics, radio interference, awkward equipment placement, reduced visibility, officer discomfort, premature wear, increased downtime, and costly rework. In the worst cases, a bad upfit can affect officer safety.

Fortunately, most of these problems are preventable. Agencies which approach vehicle builds with planning, standardization and input from the people who actually drive, service and manage the fleet can avoid many of the regrets which surface only after the vehicle is already marked, equipped and placed into service.

To provide additional perspective, we spoke with two of the industry’s most experienced vehicle upfitting professionals. David Russo, CEO of Dana Safety Supply, and George Maris, who has spent more than three decades helping law enforcement agencies specify, build and deploy patrol vehicles, oversee the production of more than 27,000 police, fire and fleet vehicles annually. Their experience reinforces many of the planning principles discussed throughout this article.

Plan the Build Before the Vehicle Arrives

One of the most common mistakes is treating the vehicle purchase and the upfit as separate decisions. In reality, they go hand in hand.

The vehicle’s make, model, trim package, powertrain, roof configuration, seating layout, cargo area, alternator capacity, factory police package, wiring provisions, and available mounting points can all influence how it should be equipped. That is why decisions about consoles, partitions, lights, sirens, radios, computers, cameras, storage, weapon locks, graphics, and power management should be considered early in the process. Waiting until after delivery often results in unnecessary compromises.

The better approach is to plan the vehicle as a complete law enforcement platform from the start. One of the costliest mistakes agencies make occurs before the purchase order is ever signed.

“One of the biggest mistakes agencies make is selecting vehicle options before talking with their upfitter,” says Maris. “We regularly see OEM options which don’t work well with aftermarket equipment which can create additional labor costs or leave agencies paying for features which end up being removed or never used. Bringing your upfitter into the conversation early can save both time and money.”

Before the purchase order is signed, the agency should know what the vehicle is expected to do; who will use it; what equipment must be installed; and how that equipment will be powered, mounted, accessed, serviced, and eventually removed.

A general patrol SUV has different requirements than a traffic unit, supervisor vehicle, K-9 vehicle, marine support unit, tactical response vehicle, prisoner transport vehicle, or administrative fleet vehicle. Trying to force every mission into the same configuration can create frustration. At the same time, allowing too many one-off builds can make the fleet harder to maintain, train on and support.

The goal is balance: enough standardization to control cost and simplify operations, with enough flexibility to support specialized assignments.

Standardization Pays Off Every Shift

Fleet standardization is not glamorous, but it is one of the most effective ways to reduce confusion, control costs and improve daily performance.

When patrol vehicles are built in a consistent manner, officers know where critical controls and equipment are located, regardless of which unit they are driving. Fleet personnel can diagnose problems more quickly. By standardizing vehicle builds, agencies make it easier for upfitters to repeat proven designs, stock replacement parts, simplify officer and technician training, complete repairs more quickly, and plan future builds with greater predictability.

The opposite is also true. When every vehicle is slightly different, minor variations become daily frustrations. One unit has the siren controller in one location; another has it somewhere else. One vehicle has a flashlight charger on the console; another has it tucked behind the seat. One rifle lock is accessible from the driver’s seat; another requires the officer to exit the vehicle.

These details may appear minor during planning, but they matter on the street. Officers should not have to hunt for essential controls during an emergency response, traffic stop, vehicle pursuit, or rapidly evolving call.

Standardization also makes it easier to evaluate what works. If an agency changes tires, brakes, lighting patterns, consoles, storage systems, prisoner partitions, seat covers, or power management equipment, consistent builds allow those changes to be measured more effectively across the fleet.

Design from the Officer’s Seat Outward

A police vehicle should be designed around the officer who will spend thousands of hours working from inside it. That makes ergonomics a critical part of the build. The placement of the mobile data terminal, keyboard, radio microphone, siren controller, camera controls, printer, flashlight charger, body camera dock, citation equipment, weapon release, cupholder, and storage compartments should all be carefully considered to ensure everything is accessible, practical and safe to use.

Poor placement can create a long list of problems. Equipment may block climate controls; reduce passenger space; interfere with seat travel; make seatbelt use difficult; or force officers to reach awkwardly while driving. A computer mounted too high can obstruct visibility. A console which is too wide can interfere with officer movement. A weapon lock placed in the wrong location can slow access or create a security concern.

The best time to discover these issues is before the build is finalized.

Agencies should involve patrol officers, supervisors, firearms instructors, fleet managers, radio technicians, IT personnel, and the upfitter early in the process. Having an officer sit in a mock-up or completed pilot vehicle can reveal problems which do not appear in a catalog, spec sheet or installation diagram.

Small adjustments made before full production can prevent years of aggravation.

Do Not Overlook Power Management

Modern patrol vehicles carry a heavy electrical load, with multiple onboard systems and electronic devices all drawing power at the same time. Without proper planning, that demand can quickly strain the vehicle’s electrical system and lead to performance or reliability problems. Adding equipment without a power management plan is asking for trouble.

A weak electrical design can lead to dead batteries, intermittent failures, overheated wiring, blown fuses, inconsistent performance, or mysterious problems which are difficult to diagnose. These issues are especially frustrating because they often appear after the vehicle has entered service and is needed every day.

A quality upfit should include clean wiring, proper circuit protection, reliable connectors, appropriate grounding, labeled circuits, accessible service points, and a power management system designed to protect the vehicle battery. Agencies should also consider idle time; extreme temperatures; and the reality that patrol vehicles often spend long periods parked with lights, radios, computers, cameras, and other systems operating.

Electrical reliability is not just a maintenance concern. If critical equipment fails during a call, traffic stops or emergency response, it becomes an operational concern.

Respect Airbags, Sightlines and Crash Safety

Every piece of equipment mounted inside or outside a police vehicle must coexist with the vehicle’s safety systems.

Improperly installed equipment can interfere with airbags, obstruct visibility, create sharp edges, or become a projectile in a crash. This applies to computers, radios, antennas, partitions, cargo storage, weapon mounts, camera systems, printers, control heads, and other aftermarket accessories.

Particular attention should be paid to side curtain airbag zones, passenger airbag deployment areas, windshield visibility, rearward visibility, seat travel, and driver movement. Equipment should not force officers into poor seating positions or make it more difficult to wear a seat belt properly.

The same principle applies to the cargo area. A poorly secured equipment box, fire extinguisher or other item can become dangerous during sudden braking or a collision. Secure storage is not only about theft prevention; it is also about crash survivability.

The patrol vehicle must remain safe as a vehicle first. The upfit should support the mission without compromising the safety systems built into the platform.

Prisoner Transport Deserves Careful Attention

The prisoner compartment is one of the most heavily used and most abused areas of a patrol vehicle. It should be designed accordingly.

Every element of the prisoner transport area should support officer safety, prisoner security, durability, and ease of maintenance. The space should be secure; easy to search; easy to clean; and designed to reduce opportunities for injury, escape, concealment, or damage.

Agencies should consider how officers actually use the space. Can they safely load and unload a combative prisoner? Can they see into the rear compartment? Is there adequate lighting for nighttime searches? Are seat belts accessible? Can contraband be hidden in seams or gaps? Can bodily fluids be cleaned without damaging the interior? Does the partition provide proper separation while still leaving enough room for the officer?

A prisoner transport system which looks acceptable at delivery may prove inadequate after months of hard use. Feedback from patrol personnel and supervisors is essential.

Storage Should Be Planned, Not Improvised

Police vehicles accumulate gear. If storage is not planned, the cargo area quickly becomes a catchall.

Patrol vehicles must provide secure, organized storage for the equipment officers rely on every day, including long guns, less-lethal tools, medical kits, tire deflation devices, evidence supplies, traffic safety gear, electronics, spare batteries, paperwork, and personal equipment.

The storage system should match the mission. Some items must be quickly accessible. Others must be locked and secured. Some must be protected from heat, weather, dust, or damage. Some should be separated from evidence or prisoner property. Some may need to be accessed from outside the vehicle, while others may need to be reached from the passenger compartment.

Poor storage planning leads to clutter, delay and damaged equipment. It can also create safety problems if heavy or sharp items are unsecured.

A well designed storage system helps officers work faster, protects expensive gear and reduces the chance that critical equipment will be left behind because there was no practical place to carry it.

Think Like the Mechanic

A police vehicle build should not make routine maintenance more difficult than necessary. Fleet mechanics and service providers need access to batteries, fuse panels, wiring, antennas, radios, modems, control modules, lighting components, and other equipment. If critical components are buried behind panels or hidden beneath layers of aftermarket hardware, every repair takes longer.

Downtime is expensive. A patrol vehicle sitting out of service because a technician cannot quickly diagnose or reach a failed component is not helping the agency or the officer who needs it.

Before approving a build, agencies should ask practical questions. Can common components be serviced without disassembling half the vehicle? Are circuits labeled? Are wiring diagrams provided? Are replacement parts available? Who supports the installation after delivery? What happens if equipment fails under warranty? Can the same build be duplicated six months later?

Maris believes an agency should evaluate its upfitting partner with the same level of scrutiny it applies to the vehicle itself. “Don’t choose an upfitter based solely on price,” advises Maris. “Talk to agencies [which] operate fleets similar to yours and ask about their experience. The cheapest option on paper isn’t always the best value when you factor in quality, turnaround times, support, and the long-term reliability of the installation.”

Fleet planning should also account for decommissioning. Equipment may need to be removed, transferred, replaced, or upgraded before the vehicle is sold, reassigned or retired. A clean, organized build makes that process easier.

Tires, Brakes and Wear Items Matter

Police vehicles work hard. They idle for long periods, accelerate quickly, brake heavily, carry extra weight, jump curbs, run over debris, sit in extreme heat and cold, and operate in all weather conditions.

That workload affects tires, brakes, suspension components, batteries, and other wear items. Yet agencies sometimes focus so heavily on the vehicle platform and electronics that they overlook the components which directly affect stopping distance, handling, ride quality, maintenance cost, and day-to-day reliability.

Upfitting adds weight. Partitions, push bumpers, light bars, cargo systems, and other equipment can change how a vehicle performs. Agencies should consider how added weight affects braking, tire wear, fuel economy, suspension performance, and maintenance intervals.

The least expensive replacement part is not always the best value. Tires and brakes are officer safety items. Selecting products suited for police duty can reduce downtime and improve performance under stress.

Avoid the Rushed Build

Many upfitting mistakes begin with a deadline: The agency needs vehicles in service quickly; the budget year is closing; older units are failing; new vehicles arrived late; equipment is backordered; the upfitter is busy; and command staff wants the vehicles deployed. Those pressures are real, but rushing the build can create long-term problems.

Selecting the right equipment is only part of the equation. Agencies should also evaluate whether their upfitter has the capacity to deliver on schedule.

“Your upfitter also needs to have the manpower to complete your contract on schedule,” says Russo. “It’s common for multiple agencies to take delivery of vehicles at the same time. That’s just the nature of our industry. Your upfitter should have the capacity to handle that demand while communicating clearly with you, setting realistic expectations and delivering on the agreed schedule.”

Russo says delays have consequences well beyond simple inconvenience. “For most agencies, the annual vehicle purchase is second only to payroll. It’s a major investment that’s depreciating every day it sits waiting to be upfitted. Every day of delay is one less day of OEM warranty and one less day that vehicle is on the road supporting your agency’s mission.”

A pilot vehicle is one of the best safeguards. Build one unit, inspect it carefully, place it in limited service, gather feedback, and make adjustments before the rest of the fleet is completed. This process may take more time on the front end, but it can prevent expensive mistakes from being repeated across multiple vehicles.

Quality control should also be part of the process. Agencies should inspect wiring, mounting, labeling, lighting performance, siren operation, radio function, computer placement, prisoner compartment security, storage systems, graphics, and overall workmanship before accepting delivery.

Once the vehicle is placed into service, problems become more difficult and more expensive to correct.

Build for the Mission

The best police vehicle upfit is not necessarily the one with the most equipment. It is the one which supports the mission without creating unnecessary problems.

A good build helps officers work safely and efficiently. It gives mechanics a fair chance when something fails. It gives fleet managers consistency and predictability. It gives command staff a better return on investment. Most importantly, it gives the agency a professional, reliable vehicle which can withstand the demands of law enforcement work.

Upfitting without regret requires planning, communication and discipline. It means asking hard questions before equipment is ordered. It means involving the people who will drive, service and manage the vehicle. It means thinking beyond delivery day and considering how the vehicle will perform over years of patrol duty.

A police vehicle is too important to build by habit, guesswork or convenience.

The agencies which get it right understand one simple truth: The upfit is not an accessory to the patrol vehicle. It is what turns the vehicle into a law enforcement tool.

JAMES L. MCCLINTON, PH.D.

Some people will do anything to save a buck… Louisiana police are investigating a Pineville Chinese restaurant after officers allegedly found roadkill stored in a freezer with food intended for customers. The investigation began after a viral social media post accused the restaurant of placing a dead animal in its freezer, prompting Pineville police to respond to the business. Once there, officers determined the animal was a deer, reportedly picked up after being found dead along the side of the road. Police said they later found the deer carcass inside the restaurant’s freezer, stored alongside other food allegedly meant to be served to customers. The restaurant posted a note on its front door apologizing for the “recent incident,” while stating that the item involved was never intended to be served. Pineville police said they contacted both the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and both agencies have opened their own investigations. (What’s wrong with General Tso’s venison?)

We know who the boss is…The mayor of Cohutta, Georgia, fired the entire police department following a dispute involving his wife, the town’s former clerk, who had been dismissed after allegedly creating a “hostile work environment.” Several officers had filed complaints against her and reportedly played a role in her firing. The mayor claimed the department shutdown was due to “inappropriate” comments by officers, but the former police chief said town officials were not briefed beforehand and that the town attorney had reassured officers just days earlier that their jobs were secure. The attorney said officers feared their complaints about the hostile work environment would be used against them. One fired sergeant called the move a “personal vendetta.” The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office temporarily took over law enforcement duties, but within days, the town council reinstated the officers and began considering the mayor’s removal. (Does this remind anyone else of how “Boss Hogg” ran things?)

Pasta la vista, baby… A 23-year-old former Chick-fil-A^® worker in Texas is accused of ringing up 800 orders of mac and cheese and then refunding them to his personal credit cards. The accused allegedly pocketed more than $80,000 in the scheme in November – and it was all caught on surveillance video. Grapevine police say he evaded arrest multiple times before finally being apprehended with help from the Texas attorney general’s Fugitive Task Force and the Fort Worth Police Department. Police charged him with property theft, money laundering and evading arrest, police said. He was jailed in the Tarrant County jail. Tarrant County court records reveal that detectives were alerted about the alleged theft by the franchise owner who directed them to CCTV video which showed a man using a cash register to order $80,105 of the comfort food. (“Cheddar late than never”)

He must really hate Iran… A Kissimmee, Florida, man apparently did some serious online research and found an active Iranian embassy contact form. His goal was not to negotiate a ceasefire or encourage de-escalation. Instead, he offered to trade his mother-in-law for two American hostages held overseas – but not as an even swap. He wanted Iran to sweeten the deal with a “$400-$600 gift card from Home Depot or somewhere similar.” It’s unclear how the message reached US authorities, but federal agents soon showed up at his door. His first words were reportedly, “Have you heard back yet?” He has not been charged with a crime, but it’s probably safe to assume he may soon be shopping for a good divorce attorney. (Oh, Florida! You NEVER disappoint!)

Obviously, this shopper was actually an impasta… A 28-year-old California man is accused of stealing LEGO^® sets from Target stores as part of a nationwide theft scheme involving boxes filled with dried pasta. Irvine police said the Paramount man allegedly bought LEGO sets from Target, removed the valuable minifigures and pieces, and then returned the boxes after replacing the contents with pasta. Investigators linked him to roughly 70 thefts nationwide, totaling about $34,000 in losses. Police said surveillance helped identify him as the suspect. He was taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail on grand theft charges.(He’ll be serving time in the PENNEtentiary.)

Looking for love in all the wrong places… A Riverside County, California, sheriff’s deputy was allegedly caught on camera swiping through a dating app while standing just feet from an armed, barricaded suspect during a SWAT standoff. The incident began after the armed suspect crashed into a wall near a school. A bird’s-eye-view camera captured one deputy – wearing insignia which appeared to indicate he may have been a sergeant – pulling out his phone and swiping left on what looked like the dating profiles of women. The standoff eventually ended after the sheriff’s office fired tear gas into the suspect’s vehicle. “This behavior does not reflect the standards, expectations or policies of our department,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said. “We have initiated an internal investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings.” (Hopeless romantic or multitasker?)

The hardest part about being addicted to robbing banks is the withdrawals… A 33-year-old New York man took his time in carrying out his bank robbing spree, but didn’t net much of a haul for all his effort. The man robbed six banks in five days across Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. At each Chase branch, he handed the teller a note saying people would get hurt if they didn’t hand over money. He got $320 and $265 from a couple of banks, but walked away with just $20 from another. And, three branches gave him nothing at all. His total “earnings” were just $605. Police are still searching for the man who has been charged with bank robbery previously. (After robbing the sixth bank, he just lost interest.)

PCP may not be making headlines, but its quiet return is creating a volatile mix of gang violence, toxic labs and unpredictable street encounters for law enforcement.

America’s long running opioid battle has shifted into a new, quieter, yet more complicated, phase. There has been a quiet resurgence of Phencyclidine (PCP), largely driven by two well established Los Angeles-based gangs, the Bloods and the Crips. Generally known as “angel dust,” PCP is a hallucinogenic and psychoactive substance synthesized from easily obtained chemicals, manufactured in clandestine laboratories and trafficked nationwide. Violence, crime and trafficked weapons follow in its wake and Los Angeles has become the PCP production epicenter.

These homegrown gangs manufacture PCP in laboratories located in isolated rural areas or industrial zones to hide the distinct, overwhelming chemical odors produced during manufacturing. They then distribute the hallucinogen through various trafficking hubs, with the primary ones being in Washington, DC; Maryland; and Virginia. 

Interestingly, their entire supply chain – from precursor sourcing to manufacture, distribution and sales – effectively cuts international drug trafficking networks out of major PCP trafficking operations. The gangs retain a greater share of the profits which makes them wealthier because there are no longer upstream suppliers to pay. It also gives them access to more resources, including weapons, and makes them harder to control.

Historically, traffickers have relied on various types of drugs and precursor chemicals smuggled into the country via the southern border and, hence, have been beholden to the cartels. Taking control of their own manufacturing and distribution within the borders of America makes their drug operations safer since increased interdiction pressure has been placed on traditional trafficking routes. Moreover, with more law enforcement pressure being put on the cartels, they are less likely to move into local gangs’ territories. 

The target markets of PCP traffickers are the same as always – primarily poorer communities. The PCP risk in these communities is great because they have access to fewer resources for education and harm reduction services, reducing their options for breaking their addiction and getting professional help.

The threat to these communities is not only addiction and the associated increase in crime, but the long-term effects of substances which impair the user’s ability to learn and function normally in society. Because PCP acts as a dissociative anesthetic, it can induce severe paranoia, delusions of invulnerability, and a complete detachment from reality. This means that even benign situations can rapidly escalate into violent encounters for no apparent reason. Moreover, this violence creeps into family homes and, since the hallucinogen is strongly associated with aggression, it often leads to domestic disturbances. 

Because law enforcement typically prioritizes synthetic opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine, PCP seldom receives media coverage, leaving it an unrecognized problem. The situation is further complicated by the prevalence of polysubstance abuse which mirrors the fourth wave of the opioid crisis, as PCP is frequently combined with other illicit drugs. These mixtures often include lower doses of fentanyl to minimize fatal overdoses, but they increase addiction rates. Moreover, trends show that PCP trafficking increasingly involves the use of firearms.

Hubs and Threats

Firearms are common among street gangs and the Bloods and Crips recently called a truce to profit from gunrunning. Their involvement in PCP trafficking is therefore not surprising. But, guns are only one of several risks officers face. The same illicit networks which move PCP and firearms also traffic fentanyl; methamphetamine; cocaine; heroin; and, in some cases, people.

Because these criminal markets share stash houses, couriers, vehicles, routes, and enforcement crews, a PCP investigation can quickly expose a broader organized crime network. For police, that means every stop, search, warrant, or lab raid carries multiple risks: Toxic chemicals, multiple narcotics, armed suspects, and evidence tied to several offenses may all be present at once.

For officers on the street, that overlap increases the danger and a supposedly routine PCP case can escalate without warning, especially because users may be disoriented or violent, while traffickers may also have firearms within immediate reach. At the same scene, officers face risks when raiding clandestine labs or interdicting suspects carrying PCP in the field due to airborne fumes, spilled liquids and multiple unknown substances. All of these complicate search, arrest, evidence collection, and decontamination. The result is a multilayered risk environment complicating the decision-making process for treatment or tactical assessments.

Another challenge for law enforcement is the scale of the PCP distribution map which stretches from Southern California to East Coast markets and crosses city, county and state lines. Four gang members were recently convicted of drug and firearm offenses in Dallas, Texas. Given the national scope of these illicit operations, no single agency can handle the task on its own. Effective disruption depends on interagency cooperation which links local patrol and gang units, narcotics investigators, DEA and ATF operatives, prosecutors, forensic laboratories, and intelligence analysts.

Cooperation is therefore essential, not only to dismantle clandestine labs and trafficking routes, but also to reduce risks to officers by improving situational awareness before operations; avoiding duplication of effort; identifying armed offenders sooner; and ensuring that chemical, narcotics and gang intelligence are fused into a single operational picture. For that reason, greater attention and resources from integrated agencies such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program are critical.

The problem, however, is that PCP remains low on the priority list for many law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and politicians. The reason is that it is overshadowed by fentanyl and methamphetamines which result in far more overdose deaths, thereby commanding national headlines and generating the strongest political pressure in search of visible results. Allowing it to slip down the list of priorities only gives the crime and violence associated with it more room to spread. Law enforcement would be ill-advised to ignore it until it becomes a crisis or to hope that it goes away.

That reality shapes authorities’ financial, time and attention budgets, and priorities, leaving PCP treated as a secondary or localized problem unless it appears alongside more politically urgent drugs or violent crime. Yet, that lower profile creates its own danger. A substance can be less prominent in the media and public debate which opens the door to more expansion and poses major risks to officers, communities and investigators.  

Historical reporting has repeatedly identified Southern California as the principal production area and East Coast markets as key destinations, so a collaborative task force will not be starting from scratch. The threat is known, but too often ignored due to resource restrictions.

PCP Challenges

PCP creates challenging enforcement problems because it appears in multiple forms and is often sold in ways which make it harder to recognize during legal stops and searches. Increasingly, traffickers favor liquid PCP because it can be concealed in ordinary containers, diluted, repackaged into small vials, and distributed in a form commonly used for “dipping” cigarettes or marijuana. 

That flexibility gives gangs an operational advantage: It is easier to move, harder to identify at a glance, and more difficult to distinguish from harmless liquids until officers are already in close contact. For law enforcement, that means uncertainty at exactly the moment when certainty is most needed, because accidental contact with contaminated packaging or spilled liquid can expose officers to a substance which can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes.

Identifying PCP is only part of the challenge. Investigators must also recognize the precursor chemicals and related materials used to produce it, including piperidine, cyclohexanone and organometallic reagents. Those chemicals matter because their presence can indicate a much larger manufacturing or diversion scheme than the finished drug alone suggests, but they are not always known to patrol officers on the scene.

That problem is further compounded by the fact that several PCP precursors also have lawful industrial uses. Piperidine and cyclohexanone appear in products and processes tied to solvents, resins, rubber, nylon, and other legitimate commercial activities, making suspicious purchases harder to spot. Traffickers can spread orders across multiple suppliers, rely on intermediaries or front companies and buy chemicals in small volumes which attract less scrutiny. For investigators and prosecutors, this means PCP production often looks less urgent, less visible and harder to prove than headline-driven fentanyl or methamphetamine cases. This despite the fact that the risks to officers at the scene can be just as serious.

Addressing the PCP challenge, therefore, requires more than arrests after the fact. It requires earlier intervention, starting at the top of the supply chain before manufacturing and moving down the chain to the point of distribution. This can be supported by stronger cooperation with chemical suppliers, distributors and investigators who can flag suspicious purchasing patterns before a clandestine lab becomes fully operational. Without that, PCP will remain a low visibility threat until officers encounter it in volatile, dangerous conditions on the street or at a lab site.

Risks and Mitigations

When encountering PCP, law enforcement officers face serious risks not only from intoxicated and unpredictable, possibly armed individuals, but also from toxic chemicals associated with illicit PCP production. Even small quantities, such as a vial found during a routine search, can be hazardous without proper personal protective equipment. 

It is also critically important to identify PCP to assist those overdosing, as the process is different from opioids and other narcotics. A PCP overdose is a behavioral and neurological emergency which requires sedation, control and urgent medical assistance.

Identifying unknown substances is risky in itself. Reliable, fast presumptive analysis at the street level is, therefore, critical because it gives officers an immediate indication of the substance they are dealing with. This knowledge determines their path forward regarding evidence handling; charging decisions; and, most importantly, safety precautions.

Presumptive analysis, ideally using Raman technology, for example, plays a crucial role for officers in the field, offering portable systems which deliver rapid substance identification within minutes, without waiting for lab analysis (although state laboratory confirmation will be needed as evidence in court). They also enable non-destructive, non-contact analysis of the substance when it is in a translucent bottle or bag, with a very low false-positive rate. Detecting trace amounts of a substance in complex mixtures is also possible and reliable, as is detecting precursors. 

The widespread deployment of presumptive analytical tools in the field, with the appropriate officer training to use them effectively, will allow officers to act with confidence, knowing what they are dealing with and how to approach it. This also requires all operatives to be equipped with appropriate protective equipment, including gloves and masks, with additional protection for teams collecting and transporting evidence.

A Quiet Epidemic Is Brewing 

While PCP is not making headlines today, its potential for expansion is immense, as the hallucinogen can be manufactured and distributed without relying on imported precursors, thereby avoiding potential border delays or losses. It also means increased profits retained within the local supply chain, entrenching gangs’ monopolies on what they consider “their turf” and a further erosion of community trust in policing services. 

If law enforcement does not address the growth of PCP, the hallucinogen will spread and officers will be at risk. Due to the nature of PCP, less-lethal tools of arrest and restraint may not always work, compelling officers to use more force, sometimes with unintended consequences to both a suspect and an officer. Because more officers are required to subdue someone under the influence of PCP, there may be a corresponding decrease in police presence in other areas of the community which may be exploited. 

The most effective disruption strategy relies on a layered approach, not a single arrest. By linking the monitoring of chemical sales and diversionary tactics, gang and trafficking investigations and prosecution, authorities will create an effective deterrent against PCP. This multiagency model is essential not only to dismantle criminal networks, but also to protect officers and communities from the health risks posed by the illegal manufacture of this lethal, hallucinogenic compound.

Michael W. Brown is the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices. He has a distinguished career spanning more than 32 years as a Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Most recently, he was the DEA Headquarters staff coordinator for the Office of Foreign Operations for the Middle East-Europe-Afghanistan-India. Prior to that, he served as the country attaché in India and Myanmar, providing foreign advisory support for counter-narcotic enforcement. He also spent ten years in Pakistan as a special advisor to the US Embassy on various law enforcement issues. Michael is a graduate of the United States Ranger Training Battalion and has a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Technology and Management from the University of Eastern Michigan. You can contact him at michael.brown@rigaku.com

Law enforcement and public health officials are seeing fentanyl combined with highly potent substances such as xylazine, nitazenes, cychlorphine, and medetomidine. Many of these substances are not approved for human use and are often undetectable to the user.

Xylazine and medetomidine are used by veterinarians to sedate animals. Nitazenes and cychlorphine are potent, unregulated, synthetic opioids. New nitazenes tend to be introduced when regulatory actions, enforcement and drug scheduling put pressure on existing analogues. The DEA has reported 22 unique nitazene compounds since 2020, 21 of which are listed as Schedule I controlled substances. 

Why This Matters

• Extreme Potency: These emerging synthetic drugs can be significantly more powerful than fentanyl and greatly increase the risk of suffering a fatal overdose.
• Hidden Mixtures: These substances are frequently mixed into counterfeit pills or fentanyl powder without the user’s knowledge.
• Reduced Reversal Effectiveness: Drugs like xylazine and medetomidine are not opioids, meaning naloxone may not fully reverse their effects, complicating overdose response. Other synthetics, such as nitazenes and cychlorphine, might require several doses of naloxone to be effective.
• Severe Health Impacts: Xylazine has been linked to devastating soft tissue damage, infections and prolonged sedation, while other synthetics can cause rapid respiratory depression and death.

Public Safety Guidance

• Never take a pill which wasn’t prescribed to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
• Assume all illicit drugs may contain fentanyl or other deadly additives.
• Carry naloxone and be trained in how to use it, but understand it may not fully reverse all substances present.
• Call 911 immediately in any suspected drug poisoning or overdose. Time is critical.
• Stay informed and spread awareness. This threat is evolving rapidly.

Today’s illicit drug supply is more dangerous, more deceptive and more deadly than ever before. One pill, one try, can kill.

Public awareness and prevention are critical. For more information, visit DEA.gov/fentanylfree and DEA.gov/onepill

What are the latest developments and advancements in technologies designed to improve ballistic protection?

The past year has been a relatively quiet one for advances in body armor materials. New composites, new soft armor materials and new metal alloys or ceramic materials have not been broadly fielded. UHMWPE (Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is more dominant than it has ever been – with Avient and Honeywell both struggling to keep up with demand – and advances in Kevlar^®, beyond last year’s Kevlar EXO, are laboratory curiosities rather than commercially available armor materials.

That’s all more of the same. But, no new materials does not mean no noteworthy advances; to the contrary, there have been significant advances in better standard implementation, better deployment models and tactics, more ergonomic designs, and police-specific head protection. Police armor is gradually becoming less like a single issued vest and more like a layered survivability system: Daily soft armor on the body; rifle protection close at hand; portable cover when movement is required; body-specific fit; and helmets tested as complete law enforcement systems rather than repurposed military shells.

The Ongoing Standard Upgrade – NIJ 0101.07 and HG/RF Threat Levels

I’ve been writing about this for the past two years and NIJ 0101.07 is still in the process of being implemented. Rumor has it that the new CPL – the list of certified products – is scheduled for release in early 2027. In the meanwhile, the transition from NIJ 0101.06 to 0101.07 is moving from abstract standards talk into implementation and awareness of the new HG and RF threat level language is growing among purchasers and vendors.

As I’ve noted before, the big practical change is clarity. Handgun threats are now HG. Rifle threats, which are now categorized as RF1, RF2 and RF3, communicate more directly than the old Level III and Level IV shorthand. ARF2 gives agencies a more useful intermediate rifle category instead of forcing every rifle armor conversation into either “ordinary Level III” or “full AP-style Level IV.” For police buyers, the value is that the RF1 and RF2 levels make it harder to hide weak threat definitions behind familiar, but undefined and ambiguous, labels.

Rifle Plates – Moving Closer to the Patrol Officer

There has been a push for rifle-capable patrol armor and the statistical argument for it is straightforward: Police shootings remain a low frequency, high consequence problem and the first officers on scene are usually patrol officers, not tactical teams.

In the FBI’s 2025 LEOKA (Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted) data, 53 officers were feloniously killed, 43 of them by firearms. Where firearm type was reported, handguns were identified more often than rifles: ten handgun entries, five rifle entries, no shotgun entries, and 24 unknown firearms. Unfortunately, that large unknown category prevents any clean handgun versus rifle conclusion from the fatality data alone. But, it nevertheless makes a strong case for police rifle armor in that soft armor already addresses the common handgun threat, while any rifle incident creates a catastrophic protection gap. For active shooter response, barricaded suspects, rural long gun calls, high-risk warrant service, and vehicle staged patrol equipment, rifle plates make sense and should probably be kept close at hand.

That does not mean every patrol officer should wear rifle plates for an entire shift. Most police work still favors concealable or external soft armor optimized around comfort, coverage and wear compliance. A sounder and more reasonable conclusion is simply that rifle protection has moved closer to the patrol officer. Agencies increasingly treat rifle plates as staged equipment: in the vehicle; in an active shooter kit; in a quick don carrier; or assigned to officers most likely to respond to rural calls, high-risk warrant service, barricaded subjects, active shooter incidents, or long gun calls.

The advance, then, is that we’re beginning to see a new deployment model: daily handgun armor worn continuously, plus rifle armor kept close.

Ballistic Shields Returned as Portable Cover

Agencies and grant programs are again treating shields as practical patrol equipment, especially for active shooter response, barricaded suspects, hostage rescue, domestic violence calls, felony stops, welfare checks, and casualty extraction.

That makes sense. A vest protects the person wearing it. A shield creates movable cover. It can protect a second officer; cover a rescue; help cross a threshold; reduce exposure in a hallway; or give patrol a safer way to move toward a threat.

What’s important to emphasize is not that shields are new, but rather that they are becoming more common outside specialized tactical units. Compact rifle-rated shields, vehicle carried shields and rapidly deployable patrol shields fit the same broader pattern as rifle plates: Police armor is moving from passive personal protection toward layered response equipment.

Fit Became a Protection Issue, Especially for Women Officers

Fit is now impossible to hand wave away as a mere comfort issue. Poorly fitted armor creates coverage gaps; shifts the strike face away from where it is supposed to sit; interferes with breathing and weapon handling; and makes officers less likely to wear the equipment correctly.

The best recent data point comes from the United Kingdom’s 2024 National Uniform and Equipment Survey which gathered 27,079 responses. The results were ugly: 61% said body armor was very uncomfortable and caused ongoing discomfort; 64% said uniform or equipment restricted movement or effectiveness; and 38% of female officers reported crushed breasts from body armor design. Among female respondents, 85% reported at least one health condition caused or worsened by a uniform or equipment.

Those numbers describe systemic design failures. “Unisex” armor usually means male pattern armor scaled down. Needless to say, this is not the same as armor shaped for female anatomy and it is not the same as armor fitted across a full range of torso lengths, bust profiles, shoulder widths, waist to hip ratios, and duty belt interactions.

The standards world is responding. NIJ 0101.07 includes improved test methods for armor designed for women, including methods intended to evaluate shaped armor and potential vulnerabilities around construction features and edges. This comes in recognition of the fact that female armor cannot be treated as a tailoring problem after the ballistic package is already designed. The shape itself affects ballistic testing.

The product world is also moving. Armor Express markets structured female soft armor with narrower chest dimensions and integrated cup structure. RMA Armament has released female fit rifle plates. Mehler has introduced the Woman Soft Ballistic Panel, an anatomically molded female panel offered to VPAM 3 and SK1 configurations and designed to integrate with multiple vest models. These are the kinds of products which signal the real change: Police armor for women is moving from accommodation to engineered product categories.

Fit is increasingly written into procurement. Female cut armor, whenever needed, should be available at issue, not special order. Fitting sessions should include the full duty load out. If an officer cannot shoulder a long gun, breathe properly, sit in a patrol vehicle, wear a radio, and move without the armor riding into the throat or crushing the chest, the armor has failed operationally even if an NIJ lab gave it a passing mark.

Helmets as Law Enforcement Systems, Not Repurposed Military Shells

The police helmet market is also changing. For decades, many law enforcement helmets were essentially military derived shells, surplus ACH or PASGT helmets, or bump helmets pressed into jobs they were never meant to perform. The most noteworthy armor advance of 2025 is towards helmets tested and purchased as complete law enforcement systems.

The DEA and FBI Ballistic Helmet Protocol 2024 set the stage and was implemented in earnest from 2025. It is written around pistol caliber law enforcement threats and treats the helmet as a complete system: shell, NVG shroud, rails, suspension, and retention, as worn by the end user. The protocol includes environmental conditioning, water immersion, stringent penetration and backface deformation testing, impact testing, compression testing, and retention testing. It also pays attention to edge and hardware areas which matter in the real world because helmets are not smooth laboratory test samples.

Actual procurement has followed. Busch PROtective’s AMP-1 X was selected under an FBI/DOJ five year IDIQ contract and is offered in FBI configurations around 2.8 pounds to 3.1 pounds with rails and NVG mounting. Galvion’s Hellbender FE was also announced under a five year DOJ/FBI contract vehicle, with modular upgrades including maxillofacial protection and accessory integration. ArmorSource’s AS-223 is another example of a law enforcement oriented helmet built around reduced trauma and DEA/FBI protocol compliance.

Full disclosure: I own and operate Adept Armor. With that out of the way, I believe that our forthcoming Nova Titanium helmet points to another possible direction. Instead of another thick UHMWPE or aramid shell, the Nova Titanium utilizes a thin shell made of enhanced toughness 260LC titanium. The entire helmet weighs 2.02 pounds fully configured in size L/XL, including shell, pads, retention, and standard hardware. It is rated for 9mm FMJ at over 1300 fps with low backface deformation; offers edge-to-edge metal coverage; and is designed around an indefinite titanium shell service life and compatibility with Adept’s NovaSteel accessory ecosystem, including mandibles, the accessory mounting circlet, ballistic nape protection in the form of the helmet lobster tail, and a forthcoming blast liner.

A titanium helmet will never be a rifle-rated helmet and it isn’t optimal as a military shell as it’s a lot better against handgun bullets than it is against fragments, but it belongs in the serious police helmet conversation because it attacks the barriers which keep helmets from wider patrol availability: weight, price, deformation, and service life.

The larger helmet trend is that police helmets are no longer just hand-me-down military shells. They are platforms for head protection, face protection, comms, hearing protection, night vision, and blunt impact management – and police requirements are very different from military requirements.

The Real Trend

The past year’s real police armor advances are practical, not glamorous: Rifle plates are moving closer to the patrol officer. Shields are returning as portable cover. Fit is being treated as part of protection. Helmets are becoming complete law enforcement systems.

Practical advances are useful advances because armor is ultimately judged by whether it protects against the threats officers actually face; whether it can be staged or worn when needed; whether it fits the person issued it; and whether it performs as a complete system under realistic conditions.

Still, here’s hoping for more material advances in 2026-2027!

Jake Ganor is a materials scientist, armor engineer and a designer of ballistic shields. His company, Adept Armor (ade.pt), is pioneering next generation armor systems. His book, Body Armor and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems, is available on Amazon.

Walk through any tactical equipment display or team staging area today and one thing is clear: Modern SWAT operators have more options than ever – better armor, lighter helmets and improved communications.

Thermal devices, night vision, drones, robots, rifles, optics, breaching tools, medical gear, less-lethal options, tactical vehicles, and a growing list of specialty equipment all promise to make teams safer and more capable.

Most of it can be valuable. The problem is that every new piece of gear comes with a cost. It adds weight, takes up space, requires batteries, maintenance, training, and storage, and may demand new policies or more range and scenario-based training. Before long, a team can find itself carrying more equipment than it can realistically use, support or deploy effectively.

The answer is not to avoid new technology. It is to make sure every piece of equipment earns its place.

More Gear Is Not Always More Capability

Tactical teams are focused on officer safety, mission success and preparing for the worst day their agency may face. That can lead to a simple assumption: More equipment must mean more readiness. Sometimes, it does; often, it does not.

The same holds true for technology. A team may own drones, robots, thermal devices, remote cameras, and advanced communications systems, but that equipment has little value if only one person knows how to use it, batteries are dead, policies are unclear, or the team has not trained with it under realistic conditions.

Capability is not measured by the amount of gear a team owns. It is measured by how well that gear supports the mission.

Start with the Mission

Before purchasing the next piece of equipment, teams should ask a basic question: What problem are we trying to solve?

A full-time metropolitan SWAT team may need a different equipment mix than a regional team serving several counties. A team which regularly handles barricades, warrant service, high-risk arrests, and major public events may have different priorities than one responding mainly to rural incidents, corrections emergencies, active threats, or search and rescue calls.

The mission drives equipment.

Teams should review the incidents they actually handle, not just the ones they might someday face. After-action reports; callout trends; training records; and input from operators, medics, negotiators, snipers, bomb technicians, and command staff can reveal where the real gaps are.

Sometimes the answer is not another piece of gear. It may be better organization, more training time, stronger maintenance support, or a simpler way to deploy equipment the team already owns.

Build a Core Loadout, Then Add Mission-specific Gear

One practical way to avoid overload is to separate what every operator needs from what is mission-specific.

The core loadout should include equipment required for the team’s most common assignments: appropriate body armor, helmet, communications, eye protection, lighting, medical supplies, and other essentials determined by agency policy and mission needs.

Beyond that, teams can rely on mission-specific packages. This approach keeps the basic load manageable while allowing the team to scale up when needed.

The Human Body Still Sets the Limit

Technology changes quickly; the human body does not. Armor, helmets, rifles, communications equipment, medical gear, breaching tools, water, batteries, and other equipment all add up. Even small additions can become a problem over a long operation, especially in heat, cold, darkness, or multi-hour barricades.

A good tactical loadout must account for mobility, endurance and fit. Operators need to move, climb, kneel, work around vehicles, enter structures, communicate, render aid, and stay alert under stress. Equipment which shifts, binds, overheats the operator, or makes it difficult to sit in a vehicle can quickly become more of a burden than an advantage.

Fit matters just as much as weight. Armor, helmets, uniforms, and load-bearing equipment should work for the people wearing them, not just look good on a product display. When gear creates pressure points, restricts movement or causes fatigue, operators may start adjusting it, loosening it or leaving it behind.

Technology Needs a Home and a Plan

Modern tactical technology can be a major force multiplier, but it can also create clutter fast. Cables must be routed safely; batteries need to be charged and tracked; and equipment needs protection from weather, impact and loss.

The more technology a team carries, the more important simplicity becomes. Equipment should make the operator’s job easier, not create another problem to manage. If a device requires constant adjustment; blocks access to essential gear; adds confusion to radio traffic; or demands more attention than it provides in value, the team should reconsider how it is being used.

Technology also needs ownership. Someone should be responsible for batteries, charging, software updates, replacement parts, maintenance, and training records. When that responsibility is vague, equipment tends to become unreliable at the worst possible time.

Communications Cannot Be an Afterthought

A tactical team can have excellent equipment, experienced operators and a solid plan, but poor communications can still derail the operation.

Headsets, radios, hearing protection, push-to-talk systems, interagency channels, and command post information flow all deserve careful attention. Teams need to know who is communicating on which channel; how information moves from drone operators or observers to the team leader; and how emergency traffic will be handled.

The goal is not more radio traffic, but better radio traffic. Clear, disciplined communications reduce confusion, prevent repeated commands and keep the team aligned during fast changing events.

As with all equipment, you need to train with communications systems, not merely be issued it.

Medical Gear Must Be Accessible

A large medical kit stored somewhere in a vehicle is helpful, but it may not be enough during a rapidly developing incident. At the same time, loading every operator down with a full trauma bag can make movement more difficult.

The best approach is usually layered. Operators should have immediate access to the most critical medical gear required by policy and training. Additional supplies can be carried by tactical medics, designated team members or organized in vehicle-based kits.

The team should know who carries what, where additional supplies are located and how casualty care fits into the larger tactical plan. Medical planning should begin before the operation, not after someone is injured.

Keep Team Gear Off the Operator When Possible

Not everything has to be carried on the body. Ballistic shields, breaching tools, large medical kits, extra ammunition, cameras, drones, robots, less-lethal systems, rescue equipment, water, and cold weather gear may be better carried in a vehicle, equipment cart, mission bag, or designated team kit until needed.

Organization makes the difference. Teams should be able to identify, load and deploy mission-specific equipment quickly. Cases, bags, vehicle storage systems, and color coded kits can reduce confusion during callouts.

A patrol vehicle, armored rescue vehicle or tactical van should support the mission, not become a black hole where gear disappears.

Train for the Gear You Carry

Every new capability creates a training requirement. Teams should avoid buying equipment faster than they can train with it.

The best tactical teams test equipment in darkness, bad weather, cluttered structures, long operations, vehicle deployments, and stressful scenarios. They evaluate what works; what fails; and what becomes awkward once gloves, armor, radios, and time pressure are added.

A piece of equipment which cannot be deployed confidently under stress is not yet a true capability.

Standardization Reduces Problems

Tactical teams do not need every operator configured exactly the same way, but they benefit from standardization.

Common equipment layouts, similar communications setups, consistent medical gear locations, familiar vehicle storage systems, and repeatable mission kits reduce confusion. Operators can move between roles more easily; supervisors know what capability is available; and training, maintenance and replacement become simpler. The goal is not to eliminate personal preference. It is to keep personal preference from becoming operational chaos.

Build Smart, Not Heavy

The best teams build around mission, fit, training, communications, organization, and common sense. They carry what they need, stage what they may need and avoid confusing equipment volume with true readiness.

A well-equipped team is not the team with the most gear. It is the team whose people can move, communicate, think, train, and act effectively when the mission gets difficult.

That is the real goal: not simply more equipment, but better capability.