Unfit, overweight police officers wearing stab-resistant body armour are potentially putting their lives at risk during extreme policing scenarios, a study reveals.
The armour was introduced for frontline officers five years ago, and provides police with protection from stabbings, blunt trauma and low-calibre bullets.
University of Otago researchers testing the performance of Dunedin-based police officers found the armour, which weighs between 2.7kg and 3.8kg, "could have potentially fatal consequences".
Unfit and overweight officers wearing armour were potentially at risk, and the findings showed the importance of "physical fitness and weight management to officer function and safety".
The report, by Paddy Dempsey, Phil Handcock and Nancy Rehrer, from the School of Physical Education, was not commissioned by New Zealand Police, but its findings had been submitted to the organisation.
The report questioned whether wearing body armour was outweighed by the cost to officers' function and safety.
Fifty-two people took part in 10 physical tests, with and without armour. Wearing it caused "significant performance losses in all 10 simulated tasks".
As well as greater risk of lower-limb and foot injury, wearing the armour could lead to "earlier onset of fatigue and deterioration" in subsequent tasks.
Southern District operations manager (relieving) Inspector Al Dickie said the vests were introduced "to provide added protection to our frontline personnel".
Concerns over wearing the vests had largely been addressed, including ensuring the fit was correct, and encouraging staff to rehydrate during hotter periods.
"In terms of overweight unfit staff, I venture to suggest that the vast majority of our frontline staff are younger and are of a good level of fitness," he said.
"Those found to be wanting in that area will be put on remedial programmes."
