City Council Approves New Bulletproof Vests For Muskogee Police

Monday, the Muskogee City Council approved a purchase that will bring new bulletproof vests to the police department.

Several officers said replacing the vests is long overdue and said, over time the vests can wear down, making them less effective in the field.

Bulletproof vests come in all shapes and sizes, but all have an expiration date on them.

In Muskogee, the police department is working to get the old ones replaced; half the department will get new vests.

"Today's society, today's world, we can't get by with officers not wearing or not having vests," said Muskogee officer Lincoln Anderson.

It's required to wear vests while on duty. Anderson said the vests need to stop bullets, and protection can be lost over time.

"If it's starting to wear through this piece, then all the sweat, salt and chemicals will get into the Kevlar and it's going to degrade it over time," he said.

Bulletproof vests are almost like t-shirts - think of it as another layer between the officer's undershirt and the uniform.

Anderson said, "You have to understand that these vests are getting worn day in and day out from eight to 12 hours a day."

The 50 new vests are estimated to cost the department around $30,000.

After some testing, the vests will be ordered and put into service.