Police boss ‘embarrassed’ about missing ballistics vests

Police officers in the line of duty are being forced to wear ballistics vests that passed their manufacturer’s warranty years ago.

Police officers in the line of duty are being forced to wear ballistics vests that passed their manufacturer’s warranty years ago, and are only operational because NSW Police extended the equipment’s use-by date.

As NSW Police scrambles to account for a “significant number” of ballistics vests that have gone missing, the Police Union has warned that the agency has no money to replace equipment that is only months away from expiring.

The Saturday Telegraph has obtained evidence of officers wearing ballistics vests with a “service expiry” date of November 2022.

Instead of replacing the vests, the NSW Police “Ballistics Vest Working Group” found a way to keep them in service longer.

Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told budget estimates on Friday that the force had gained a “extensions for two-year periods” for the vests. He said a “ballistics expert attested to the fact that they are still suitable, even though they are beyond their warranty period”.

A ballistics vest in use by a NSW police officer which expired in 2022, but had its warranty extended. Supplied.

It comes after Police Association NSW President Kevin Morton called for the Minns government to give police the cash to replace expiring vests.

“Significant funding is required from the NSW government to ensure that our police have the last equipment and technology,” he said.

“The previous government failed to allocate funding for various areas, including the replacement of these vests, and its now up to the Minns government to not only fund these vests but also other underfunded areas such as body-worn cameras.”

In a statement, a NSW Police spokeswoman said NSW Police “regularly” replaced vests nearing expiry, as recently as this month.

Under questioning from independent MP Rod Roberts, Mr Hudson admitted a “significant number” of vests were unaccounted for, and blamed dodgy record-keeping for the “embarrassing” situation.

Mr Hudson said he had no idea how many bullet-proof vests were missing, revealing the force had conducted “mass destructions” of expired ballistics vests without doing the proper paperwork.

He told a parliamentary committee that after the NSWPF Armoury was put in charge of ballistics vests, it has uncovered “mass destructions of expired vests” where serial numbers were not recorded.

Police Association NSW President Kevin Morton Picture: Gaye Gerard

Deputy Commissioner David Hudson. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hudson said seven vests had been stolen over the past five years. A further six were lost, “four of which have been recovered,” he said.

However, Mr Hudson said he had “no confidence” in records showing how many vests were unaccounted for.

“It’s embarrassing,” he said.

He directly warned any police commanders watching the budget estimates hearing to “get ready” for another audit.

“Because it’s coming again, and it’s going to be done properly,” he said.

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