Body Armor for Fugitive Recovery Agents
I’ve had a few questions regarding concealable body armor lately, especially what type and what level of protection. So I thought it would be best to discuss it here. I firmly believe that going home to my family every night is a GOOD THING and body armor has saved many lives in the field.
Body armor is classified by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) as Levels I, IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV. Each level has been tested and certified by the NIJ to stop the penetration of a particular ammunition caliber and mass, traveling at various muzzle velocities at an industry standard 5 meters (for types I thru IIIA) and 15 meters for III and IV. (I’m not going to go into angle of penetration of fired test rounds, backing material or construction.) Some materials are also submitted for stab resistance (using the “California Ice Pick Method”)
Here is a basic outline for the minimum standards for each:
Type I (22 LR; 38 Special)
This armor protects against 22 Long Rifle High Velocity lead bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr) impacting at a velocity of 320 m (1050 ft) per second or less, and 38 Special round nose lead bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 259 m (850 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun rounds in calibers 25 and 32.
Type II-A (Lower Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 381 m (1250 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 332 m (1090 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 45 Auto., 38 Special +P and some other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.
Type II (Higher Velocity 357 Magnum; 9 mm)
This armor protects against 357 Magnum jacketed soft point bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr) impacting at a velocity of 425 m (1395 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 358 m (1175 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most other factory loads in caliber 357 Magnum and 9 mm, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.
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Type III-A (44 Magnum; Submachine Gun 9 mm)
This armor protects against 44 Magnum, lead semi-wadcutter bullets with gas checks, nominal masses of 15.55 g (240 gr) and impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less, and 9 mm full metal jacketed bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) impacting at a velocity of 426 m (1400 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.
Type III ( High-Powered Rifle)
This armor protects against 7.62 mm full metal jacketed bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.7 g (150 gr) impacting at a velocity of 838 m (2750 ft) per second or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56 mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12 gauge rifled slug, as well as the threats mentioned in lower levels.
Type IV (Armor-Piercing Rifle)
This armor protects against 30 caliber armor-piercing bullets (U.S. military designation APM2), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr) impacting at a velocity of 868 m (2850 ft) per second or less. It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in lower levels.
SO in answer to your question, you must consider several factors.
a) Many police departments choose the type and level of vests by what type and caliber of handgun their officers carry! If someone takes your weapon from you, your vest should provide protection against it.
b) Typically, the higher the classification level (greater protection) the heavier the vest will be. Heavy bulky vests become a burden and you will eventually just stop wearing it because it is uncomfortable to wear. Types IIIA, III and IV clearly cannot be worn for a full day.
c) What threats do you expect to encounter and at what distances? In this business, and someone correct me if I am wrong, hazardous situation will typically be at close range involving a wide range of calibers.
d) Fit. An improperly fitted vest is dangerous (and damn uncomfortable). If you must purchase one on-line, first- go to a “Cop Shop” and get fitted in various brand name vests and get the sizes. Then order one online. www.galls.com has some good prices and even some specials from time to time. Safariland, Pointe Blank, and Second Chance are all reputable name brands.
e) Personally, I am more scared that I will be attacked with a knife or a blunt object; when I looked at armor, I wanted penetration protection as well, which was very expensive. (but worth my life)
Since I only wear my vest for short periods, I decided on a level II vest made of a fabric that provides some resistance to cuts and stabs (though not to the CIPM standards).
I hope this helps you make the right decision when choosing concealable soft body armor!
One important relevant piece information of this equation that needs to be considered and mentioned regardless of the overall vest rating is the effects of a particular rounds ft.lbs muzzle energy that amasses quick hard kinetic energy that is hard to dissipate at close range causing critical organ blunt shock trauma
Hi my name is Douglas, Lately there has been 1000s of questions concerning Bail Enforcement and Bounty Hunting in the great state of Michigan. First I would love to meet the person or persons who said it is illegal to do recovery work in Michigan without being a private investigator, or a licensed Bondsman registered in a county court. I dont know if you have heard of me and frankly could care less. I own one of the biggest recovery teams that spans the U.S.A. We have re jailed over 400 inmates for Michigan bondsman in 2009 alone.
My second question. Under what Michigan Penal code does it give Private investigators arrest authority in the state of Michigan? The term is Private investigator. The key work being Investigator. They are simply hired for the service of information. Which is expressly written numerous times in the laws. To furnish information. While a Bounty hunter does not furnish information to anyone, anytime,anywhere. They are simply hired to re jail a defendant. The term Bondsman itself is a person who is a jailer,probation officer for the defendant until there court date. They promise to the court the defendant will be in court the court excepts the agreement making the bondsman liable for the defendant. Also giving him or her authority to re jail them.
In Michigan you do not have to be registered in the court to be a Licensed Surety agent/ Bondsman. You simply have to register with the court to write bonds there. Nothing Else.
To be a Bounty hunter simply call a company and ask if they are hiring bounty hunters. Once you are hired, you simply work. period.
It is not “Private Investigator” in Michigan any longer; by statute it is “Professional Investigator” and by law there are new definitions for “professional investigation.” Avail yourself of the amended law and try not to sound like an arrogant ass.
Bounty hunting in KY??? After just having read your post on another article posted… I KNOW you are simply a poser.
Yes,I understand that the term used in Michigan is Professional Investigator. But the term better known by most is Private Investigator. I have read the Act numerous times. But I am sorry, it does not give authority of arrest to a P.I in Michigan. Actually a Private security officer has more arrest authority in Michigan than a P.I does. And Gary, it is section 4a in the Exceptions of the act itself. Please read it. I know my Profession maybe you should learn yours. Investigator. I wouldnt call this guy if he dont understand his job title in the first place. INVESTIGATOR what does it mean?????
(e) “Investigation business” means a business that, for a fee, reward, or other consideration, engages in business or accepts employment to furnish, or subcontracts or agrees to make, or makes an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information with reference to any of the following:
(i) Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or a state or territory of the United States, or any other person or legal entity.
(ii) The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of a person.
(iii) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property.
(iv) The cause or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, or damage or injury to persons or property.
(v) Securing evidence to be used before a court, board, officer, or investigating committee.
(vi) The prevention, detection, and removal of surreptitiously installed devices designed for eavesdropping or observation, or both.
(vii) The electronic tracking of the location of an individual or motor vehicle for purposes of detection or investigation.
(viii) Computer forensics to be used as evidence before a court, board, officer, or investigating committee.
Does it say the apprehension or delivery of a defendant, person, or fugitive from justice. No It says to supply The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of a person. That means you can call me with his address, and I will go arrest them you are breaking the law. INVESTIGATOR
The only point on recovery in the entire act is for property. And since Michigan considers people, people. They are not considered recoverable by anyone Licensed under the Act. That is Kidnapping. If someone was going to find property they could call a REPO man. or what is known in Michigan. A Recovery agency. They also are exempt from the act. Thanks for answering my question again Gary. Man I only asked two questions. I got no answer just another question. Just like a P.I
You’ve made my point, thank you. I’m going to go ahead and make this really simple so that even you can understand and leave out all of the unnecessary words that are apparently causing you confusion:
(e) “Investigation business” means a business that, for a fee, reward, or other consideration, engages in… any of the following:
(ii) The… whereabouts… of a person.
So… you are conducting an investigation into the whereabouts of a person for a fee… you can make your own conclusions from there. Michigan state law already provides for the apprehension of the principal on behalf of the surety and his agents, and the Professional Investigator Act simply defined who those AGENTS are.
Reading “the act numerous times” and understanding the act are obviously two different things in your squishy little head.
Hugs and Kisses,
-A real WORKING fugitive recovery agent and PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATOR.
Gerry and Douglas,
Please refrain from the personal attacks and keep it professional. There is a great deal of disagreement on both sides of the issue. I doubt that anyone is going to get it right since the appropriate folks working for the state of Michigan cannot even answer the simple question “Is licensing required to bounty hunt in Michigan and if so, which license(s) apply?”
See http://pursuitmag.com/bail-enforcement-licensing-in-michigan-and-the-professional-investigator-licensure-act/
Hopefully the Michigan legislature will see fit to bring this argument to a close and just pass the “Bail Enforcement Agent Regulation Act”
See http://pursuitmag.com/potential-new-bail-enforcement-licensing-law-in-michigan/ for more information.
Scott