Strengthen community and Deputy safety by replacing traditional duty belts with outer carrier/load-bearing equipment vests.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office will use JAG funds to improve officer health and safety by purchasing outer carrier vests, also known as load-bearing vests, for its deputies with three years of service or more.  Outer carrier vests move equipment weight off the waist/hips, offer a more efficient gear placement, improve a deputy's mobility, and increase the capacity for deputies when performing their physically demanding duties.  Moving equipment weight off the standard duty belt helps alleviate lower back/hips issues which can lead to missed patrol shifts.  Missed shifts impact safety on the streets.  By improving deputies overall physical abilities and reducing the risk of potential health issues related to the duty belt, fully staffed deputy patrols strengthen community safety and help protect the public from crime.