The IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club®, an organization dedicated to reducing death and disability among police officers by encouraging the use of personal body armor, will induct City of Phoenix, Ariz., police officer Jennifer P. Moore into its membership during a ceremony at the 115th IACP Annual Conference, which begins Saturday in San Diego.
Officer safety is an issue of paramount importance; however, troubling information released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) suggest that far too many police officers continue to be lost in the line of duty. According to these organizations, 2007 was the deadliest year for American law enforcement since 1989, except for 2001 when fatalities rose as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11. While the organizations noted a 41 percent decline in law enforcement fatalities during the first six months of 2008, preliminary data from July 1 - September 30, indicates 44 officer fatalities – a 10 percent increase over the same period last year.
“Since 1987 the Survivor’s Club has recorded more than 3,000 instances of law enforcement officers surviving potentially fatal or disabling injuries because they were protected by body armor,” said IACP President Ronald Ruecker, director of public safety, Sherwood, Ore. “This campaign demonstrates that body armor saves lives, but far too many law enforcement personnel – 40 percent according to our estimates – do not routinely wear this vital protective equipment. Our mission is to ensure that survival stories like Officer Moore’s inspire others to wear vests and encourage more departments to mandate their use.”
On June 28, 2008, Officer Moore and her partner conducted a traffic stop to investigate a vehicle for a license plate violation. The passenger exited the vehicle in violation of the officer’s instructions and became verbally uncooperative. The passenger was instructed to place both hands on his head and, when he did not comply, Officer Moore reached for his left hand and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the passenger retrieved a handgun that had previously been hidden, firing one round at Officer Moore that passed through her right hand and hit her chest. Officer Moore’s body armor stopped the round. She was treated at a local hospital for her finger injury, but the body armor prevented any further pain, injury or bruising on her chest.
“The vest I was wearing saved me from further serious injury,” said Officer Moore. “This experience shows that officers are at risk of serious injury even during routine procedures and that body armor can mean the difference between life and death.”
“Body armor is proven to be effective at enhancing officer safety, and it is imperative that departments throughout the nation encourage its use by their officers,” added Ronald McBride, law enforcement consultant for the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club®. “The loss of a police officer is always tragic, making it imperative that we do everything we can to stop the risk of fatalities that could have been prevented through the use of a vest.”
The IACP and DuPont co-sponsor the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club®. Comprised of officers who have survived potentially fatal or disabling injuries through the use of personal body armor, the organization pays tribute to those with the foresight to "Dress for Survival." The IACP is the world's oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives, with more than 20,000 members in over 89 different countries. IACP's leadership consists of the operating chief executives of international, federal, state and local agencies of all sizes. The IACP is a leader in police management and executive training and is focused on changing the police culture toward greater safety awareness among the global police community.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Contacts:
Kelly Carson
804-383-3885
kelly.h.carson@usa.dupont.com
Wendy Balazik
800.843.4227 x264
Balazik@theiacp.org
