New York City police upgrade gear after Texas, Louisiana shootings

The New York Police Department unveiled new tactical equipment for patrol officers in the wake of shootings targeting law enforcers.

William Bratton plans to step down as NYPD commissioner after 2017, and he has a succession plan in place in order to ensure continuity in maintaining the safety of New York City.

Bratton says the new vests are capable of stopping bullets fired from powerful weapons – similar to the guns used in recent attacks on police officers around the country. At least 1,146 people total were killed by police that year, according to the Guardian, in what is likely a conservative estimate due to the underreporting of law enforcement killings. There will be 20,000 helmets and 6,000 heavy-duty vests. “There’s not a police department in America that is spending as much money, as much thought and interest on this issue of officer safety”. He offered no specific timetable on Monday for leaving the helm of the nation’s largest Police Department.

“Their first impulse was to immediately drive away from a crowded area to protect the lives of others with absolutely no regard for their own lives”, de Blasio said. “What do they think this is, shoe shopping?”

As one of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s most consistent defenders, Bratton’s potential exit from his current role would add another layer of uncertainty to the mayor’s political future as other Democrats consider a run against de Blasio, the New York Times added. “This takes extraordinary courage and strength”. “The ballistic vests and helmets in patrol cars can provide immediate protection for police officers, but without long rifles to counter the immediate threat of the shooter, the officers and the public they are sworn to protect will remain in great danger”, PBA President Pat Lynch said.

“A few years ago, we were talking about a very different picture in terms of terrorism”, de Blasio said.

Pictured: two officers wearing the new helmets and vests ordered this week by the NYPD.

When police Commissioner Bill Bratton eventually leaves 1 Police Plaza, he will be remembered for the innovative CompStat program and its data-driven approach to fighting crime.