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JOHOR BAHRU: Police officers patrolling in multipurpose vehicles across the country are given new safety vests, which are bullet and stab proof, while on duty.
The director of the Department of Crime Prevention and Community Security of Bukit Aman, Zainal Abidin Kasim, said that 800 of these vests have been distributed in the first phase, giving priority to all contingents.
He said the distribution was also based on frequent criminal case risks and incidents that required MPV patrollers to wear safety vests.
Zainal said the reflective vests could last 10 years and provide protection against 9mm caliber shots.
“It also provides protection against stabbing attempts, using knives or other sharp instruments. Since they are reflective, they provide additional protection for police officers on duty at night.
“Large contingents, like in Johor, will receive 100 pieces first,” he said at a ceremony to hand over the vests at the Johor police headquarters here today.
Previously, MPV members were only supplied with light reflective jackets that did not have such safety features.
Zainal said there were 3,000 people carriers nationwide and about 6,000 units of safety vests were needed.
In the first phase, the government had allocated 800 pieces through the 2018 budget after undergoing stress tests.
“If there are more assignments, we also want staff from other departments to wear these vests while on duty,” he said.
