ARMOUR FOR POLICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15056, 27 July 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

ARMOUR FOR POLICE

FOR TACKLING ARMED. CRIMINALS.' The recent series of murderous attacks by motor bandits upon the Paris police has set M. Lepine seeking for some form 'oi protective armour which will: render his subordinates bullet-proof when ; face-to-face with armed criminals.

As a preliminary, a special steal breastplate of the kind worn by the British Lifeguards, has been manufactured, and this was subjected to severe "tests recently with a view to testing its bullet-stopping value.

The armour, which is intended to bis •worn under ordinary coat or overcoat, was placed upon a mannequin ror lay figure. When a detective, armed with a Browning revolver of small calibre, fired at* the steel-protected mannequin from a distance of 15 yards, the bullet failed to penetrate. ■ " ■;;■'. ■ ,

A heavier Browning was then, tried, of the calibre of the weapon used by one of the notorious bandits in his last fight with the police. The results . were less satisfactory from the point .of view of the police. Two of. the small steel plates forming the cuirass were completely shattered by the heavier bullet, which penetrated, the body of the mannequin. Lightness and impenetrability are the essential qualities sought for in the police cuirass, and as the result of further experiments it is believed these qualities will be obtained.. It is intended to add head pieces to protect the neck and face. When a satisfactory model has been found and approved M. Lepine will have a number manufactured. These will be kept at police headquarters, and in future, when a Paris detective or policeman is about to proceed to arrest or search for a dangerous criminal he will first of all buckle on his armour.