Moore County Sheriff’s deputies are in the process of increasing their safety by transitioning to an outer vest carrier system. This is a recent national trend among law enforcement agencies because of the many advantages of the outer vest carrier systems.

The outer vest carrier increases officer safety by allowing deputies to effectively carry more life-saving equipment on their person enabling the deputy to have immediate access to the equipment. This equipment includes tourniquets and Narcan drug overdose kits.

Officer back pain and health issues related to their backs including conditions such as hip or sciatic pain resulting from the weight of their duty belt and equipment are well known. Many officers have suffered back injuries from motor vehicle accidents or slips and falls. These outer vest carriers increase officer safety by helping to shift the burdensome weight of their equipment from their duty belt to the outer vest carrier.

In the event that a deputy is injured, an outer vest carrier can quickly be removed by responding officers or emergency medical personnel for assessment of the deputy’s injuries or wounds. An outer vest carrier also provides several places for the responding officers to use in order to move an injured deputy who is not able to move under his own power.

Another very important benefit is that it will be much more comfortable for the deputy to wear. It will enable the deputy to easily make adjustments to the vests while on duty. And, it will be cooler for the deputy to wear during the hot summer months helping to reduce officer fatigue.

Sheriff Godfrey said “the advantages and options provided by an outer vest carrier are simply too great to be ignored. As technology evolves, outer vest carriers become more advanced and offer even greater protection and functionality. Additionally, our deputies will be able to carry tourniquets and in response the opioid epidemic sweeping this country, they will be trained and carry Narcan. This is one more thing we’re doing to provide the best service for the citizens of Moore County.”