§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with chief constables concerning the wearing of body armour by police officers; and if he will make a statement. [21579]
§ Mr. MichaelDecisions about whether to issue body armour, and the selection of body armour, are operational matters for chief officers. The role of the Home Office is to ensure that, in making such decisions, they have before them the best available expert advice, and this is provided by the Home Office's Police Scientific Development Branch which also provides expert advice to the self-defence committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Both my right hon. Friend and I take an interest in such matters when we meet chief constables and other police officers. In particular, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed my right hon. Friend about the position in the Metropolitan Police during discussions with my right hon. Friend in his capacity as police authority for the Metropolitan Police. The Police Scientific Development Branch has, in collaboration with the Association of Chief Police Officers, issued a manual to all chief police officers containing guidance on how to select body armour, and expert evaluations of a wide range of body armour. The manual is updated to keep abreast of the latest technical developments and to assist individual chief officers in their decision making.