December 1, 1994: Vol26n12: Bulletproof vests will be issued to Public Safety

By STEVE COX
Reporter Staff
Public Safety Officers at UB, who are now armed around the clock, will
soon be issued bulletproof vests, according to acting Public Safety
Director John Grela.
	Grela said the officers began inquiring about bulletproof
vests about two years ago. "We haven't had any incidents that prompted
this," Grela stressed. "It is simply an added measure of security for
our officers." Nor is the purchase related to the recent change in the
policy of arming public safety officers, he added.
	UB is currently taking bids for 66 vests that should cost a
total of $20,000 to $25,000 to issue to each of its Public Safety
Officers, lieutenants and investigators. Twelve of these vests will go
to Alfred State College, which will reimburse UB for their cost.
	Police officers in neighboring departments, including Buffalo
and Amherst, are routinely issued bulletproof vests. Amherst Police
Department Captain John Maslow said his department began issuing vests
several years ago. The departmental policy is to "strongly recommend"
that officers wear them, according to Maslow. Although there have been
no incidents during which an officer has been fired upon, he
explained, most officers do wear the vests whenever they are on duty.