Before the official rollout of the new Force standard issue Bullet Resistant Vests (BRVs), which had been procured to replace the existing stock, Police Constables Tsang Kim-to and Wong Tak-lung of Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit and their colleagues tried on the BRVs and discussed their observations with Assistant Commissioner (Support) Blaine Hoggard and key members of the procurement team.

"It's lighter and fits the body better," PC Tsang remarked after putting on the new Overt (Land) BRV. His colleagues also found that the design of the new BRVs had incorporated a number of new features to enhance user friendliness, including a speedloader pouch at the front, a detachable flap for the CC III Public Safety Microphone and adjustable velcro shoulder straps to cater for an officer's height. Overall, the officers were delighted with the new BRVs, which meet desirability features, comfort and the necessary level of ballistic protection.

Mr Hoggard has described the successful procurement of the new BRVs as a milestone in terms of supply of new personal protective equipment. At the design stage, he said, reference was made to the standards used in other overseas law enforcement agencies, as well as the local circumstances. After setting the specifications, market research was conducted to ensure that there were sufficient suppliers in the market to provide for a competitive tendering exercise. Throughout the tender assessment process, representatives from staff associations and users' major formations were actively involved. Last but not least, the tendered samples were subjected to rigorous ballistic evaluations.

Mr Hoggard added that the ballistic material of the new BRVs is made of a kind of material known as Dyneema. This is a super strong polyethylene fibre and offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It also floats on water. The new BRVs provide a higher level of ballistic protection, contoured body fit and additional body protection around the waist when compared with the existing ones.

The new BRVs come in two types, namely, Overt (Land) and Covert. There are five sizes, ranging from extra large to extra small, to cater for the body sizes of officers. The new BRVs will be issued to frontline formations this month and the official roll out date will be October 3. A Users' Manual will be published in tandem with the rollout of the new BRVs.

Procurement of the new BRV marks a milestone in the supply of personal protective equipment