The Plano Police Department respectfully requests approval to purchase rifle-rated body armor systems for all sworn officers. This package will include soft body armor, a rifle-rated ceramic plate, a concealable carrier for dress uniforms, and two external carriers designed for daily wear. The proposed equipment will enable officers to maintain continuous rifle-level protection throughout their entire shift.
Currently, officers are not equipped with body armor that provides rifle-rated protection during routine duty. Given the evolving threat environment and increased prevalence of high-powered firearms, equipping personnel with enhanced protection is a critical officer safety initiative.
The Department also recommends continuing to utilize our current vendor, MES Service Company, LLC, for procurement and fitting services. The existing process allows vendor specialists to conduct on-site measurements at Department facilities, ensuring proper fit, coverage, and comfort. Additionally, equipment is delivered directly to officers at their duty location, minimizing disruption to operations. Transitioning to a non-local vendor would require officers to travel offsite for fittings, resulting in lost work time and decreased efficiency.
All sworn officers will be issued a complete armor system, including:
- Two external carriers (configuration options available with and without molle)
- Soft body armor (level II and level III protection options available)
- One concealable carrier for dress uniform
- One rifle-rated ceramic plate
The estimated cost per officer is approximately $2,500. Outfitting all 400 sworn officers is projected to cost approximately $1,000,000.
This investment directly enhances officer safety, readiness, and the Department’s ability to respond effectively to high-threat incidents. Approval of this request will ensure that all sworn personnel are equipped with modern, rifle-rated protective equipment consistent with current law enforcement best practices.
The Department is requesting to use current equipment replacement funds for this purchase.
The City is authorized to purchase from a cooperative purchasing program with another local government or a local cooperative organization pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter F of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items. (Sourcewell Contract No. 010424-MES & City of Plano Contract No. 2026-0435-O)