Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/98779
P atriot3 has two new innovations in the feld of ballistic shield protection: the Flex Shield and Flex Field. Both offer compact, lightweight, and rapidly deployable protection with a threat level of National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Level IIIA (up to and including 44 Magnum rounds). Flex Shield The Patriot3 Flex Shield is the frst rollup ballistic shield of its kind designed for active shooter, quick deployment situations by patrol units. Its revolutionary design allows it to be rolled into a compact, 8-inch by 24-inch package and stored in patrol or similar vehicles that have limited space. Yet, it opens to 24 inches by 45 inches. When open, it is a full-size shield that can be used in either rigid or non-rigid applications. While today���s ballistic shields weigh from 20 to 35 pounds, the Flex Shield weighs only 11 pounds. When the shield is needed, it is deployed by pulling a release tab that allows it to drop with gravity and renders it instantly usable in its Flex-Mode in which it remains fexible to conform to different surfaces. If time permits, the stiffening rods can be inserted to make it rigid for more traditional shield operations. This takes about 10 seconds. The Flex Shield���s construction uses advanced aramid technology. Kevlar�� is a brand of aramid, a ballistic, synthetic fber developed by DuPont scientists that combines high strength with light weight to dramatically improve ballistic protection. The Flex Shield comes complete with removable, Velcro�� ���police��� or ���sheriff��� patches. Use in the Field The Guilford County, N.C. Sheriff���s Offce has 254 sworn deputies, including the Sheriff���s Emergency Response Team (SERT). According to Lt. Randy Shepherd, in addition to the SERT, all 40 sergeants in the agency carry the Flex Shield. In the past, if there was a need for a ballistic shield, a call had to be made to the tactical team, which kept a shield in its truck. Deputies have used the Flex Shield in felony vehicle stops and when going against armed subjects. The sheriff���s offce plans to use federal forfeiture funds to pay for 40 more Flex Shields for all of the corporals in the feld. www.lawandordermag.com 27 Field Evaluation Our field evaluators were trainers from Emerald Shield Tactical Concepts. The company prepares law enforcement offcers��to prevail in any on- or off-duty encounter through courses and tactics using non-lethal training ammunition and live-fre scenarios.��It focuses its trainThe Flex Shield can be used in making ing in high liability areas, and its inlimited penetrations, where the shield structors are sworn Florida-based covers about �� of the shield operator���s LE trainers who are still current face and gun hand. In making limited law enforcement offcers. Instructor penetrations, the combat shield stance backgrounds include control tactics is again a modification of the traditional / martial arts, SWAT, use of force, stance originally taught by Al Baker and and frearms certifcation. others for use with ballistic (bunker) In working with the Patriot3 Flex shields with ports (windows), something Shield, the trainers frst noted that the Flex Shield does not have. it takes up less room than other ballistic shields like the traditional rectangular shaped, nonflexible bunker shield. It is much more compact for storage in a vehicle���s trunk, In this primary fighting and in its rolledposition, the operator is up configuration, behind the shield and the it becomes a grabweapon-bearing hand is and-go bag for use out in front, as are portions by uniform patrol of the operator���s head and offcers. eyes, observing and The shield also engaging any threats by appears to be more looking from that side of the durable than other shield. The handgun ballistic shields in bearing hand is up at the the regard that it shield operator���s eye level. is made without This view is what the bad a viewing port, guy would see. so there would be none of the scratching or cracking that happens to ballistic shield ports durEmerald Shield tactical instructors ing squad car storage, carrying, and also worked the Flex Shield for cover usage. It assembles with rigid rods from the prone shooting position. quickly in active shooter scenarios, something the trainers initially found takes some motor skills. Perhaps one of the shield���s greatest merits is its use in conducting rescues, something that can be accomplished with the stiffening rods in place. Another plus for the shield is that it can be used as ballistic hardener to parts of a patrol car such as the door. Other imaginative application possibilities include beefing up low exterior walls, and using it as a ground-level horizontal shield, held