Body Armor Lifecycle Management: How Law Enforcement Can Protect Officers, Preserve Trust, and Avoid Silent Failures
Body armor is not a static asset. It is a life-saving system whose performance depends on how it is selected, issued, worn, stored, inspected, and retired over time. Most armor failures do not happen suddenly or dramatically. They emerge quietly—through expired warranties, undocumented damage, misunderstood care requirements, and shifting standards that go unnoticed. These gaps are rarely the result of negligence. They are failures of lifecycle management.
The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership: A Guide to Protecting Officers with IntelAlytic and The Armor List
For law enforcement agencies, officer protection isn’t optional — it’s mission critical. The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, provides essential funding that helps departments nationwide purchase NIJ-compliant armor. Since 1999, more than 1.5 million vests have been reimbursed under this program, yet many agencies still face confusion over product eligibility, documentation, and compliance tracking. IntelAlytic and The Armor List simplify this process through verified NIJ data, educational resources, and procurement guidance that ensure every purchase aligns with national standards and audit-ready documentation.