Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police officers charged with keeping residents safe

Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police officers are charged with keeping people in the city safe. A new survey, though, shows that they may not always be thinking of their own safety while on the job.

A recent department survey found that 20 percent of uniformed officers do not wear their bulletproof vests — which are supposed to be a standard part of their uniform — all the time while on duty. The most commonly cited reasons had to do with the fit and comfort of the vests. In reality, that percentage could actually be higher; people tend to under-report, even in anonymous surveys, doing things that they know will reflect poorly on them. Because of labor agreements, those officers hired prior to September 2007 are not contractually required to wear vests, but it’s clear that it’s the safe, responsible thing to do.

Deputy Chief Ken Kuebler is to be commended for launching a campaign to remind officers of the importance of wearing their vests all the time while on the job.

Officers should remember that some temporary discomfort certainly outweighs the far more serious outcomes that could result in the absence of this protection.