Delhi Police to procure 1,000 bulletproof jackets

Delhi Police personnel could soon be equipped with 1,000 bulletproof jackets for tackling any terror threat. At present, the police reportedly have around 250 jackets to deal with any unwanted situation. The tender for the jackets were floated on Tuesday.

The jackets will provide protection in front and back, without restricting vertical movement of the wearer’s neck. They will be waterproof, adjustable at the shoulders and light weight and comfortable, providing optimum mobility and speed.

Senior police officials had earlier asked the procurement department to expedite the process to get the vests on a priority basis. 

Top officers are reportedly in touch with several Indian and global manufacturers. The new jackets are expected to weigh not more than 5 kg. For cops patrolling on the streets, the jackets will weigh around 1/2 kg to 3 kg.

In 2013, a court, which convicted lone accused Shahzad Ahmad in the Batla House encounter case, wondered why slain Delhi police inspector MC Sharma was not wearing a bulletproof jacket despite knowing that he may face firing. 

The lack of secure jackets also came to the top brass’s notice earlier this year when a cop was gunned down by two bike-borne criminals in Delhi’s Alipur area. Though senior cops had decided that patrol cops should wear these jackets to protect themselves if attacked by criminals, plans to procure them have not been executed.