<P> In 1976 , Richard Davis , founder of Second Chance Body Armor , designed the company 's first all - Kevlar vest , the Model Y . The lightweight , able vest industry was launched and a new form of daily protection for the modern police officer was quickly adapted . By the mid-to - late 1980s , an estimated 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of police patrol officers wore able vests daily . By 2006 , more than 2,000 documented police vest `` saves '' were recorded , validating the success and efficiency of lightweight able body armor as a standard piece of everyday police equipment . </P>
<P> In 1976 , Richard Davis , founder of Second Chance Body Armor , designed the company 's first all - Kevlar vest , the Model Y . The lightweight , able vest industry was launched and a new form of daily protection for the modern police officer was quickly adapted . By the mid-to - late 1980s , an estimated 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of police patrol officers wore able vests daily . By 2006 , more than 2,000 documented police vest `` saves '' were recorded , validating the success and efficiency of lightweight able body armor as a standard piece of everyday police equipment . </P>
when did police start using bullet proof vests
when did police start using bullet proof vests
mid-to - late 1980s
mid-to - late 1980s