Tactical Solutions
Before I'm fitted
| (A) | Level 1 Responder: Plain clothes staff can select either 2 x overt carriers or 1 x overt + 1 x covert. Level 1 Responder: Protection Services District staff get 1 x overt carrier and 1 x covert carrier. HAP would have to be carried in the overt carrier. |
| (B) | Trainers non sworn – use the temporary constable version of any garments. These garments have “Police” with the Police logo on their uniform (i.e. no new badging required). |
| (C) | Firearms trainers, and (constabulary) trainers that may deploy operationally get HAP, other trainers (four) get HAP but will not be training with/responding to firearms. These four trainers will also receive instructions that their HAP is only for training purposes and is not to be worn outside their training environment. |
| (D) | Authorised Officers/Temporary Constables are entitled to two carriers. |
| (E) | Commercial Vehicle Safety Staff are entitled to two high visibility jerkins. |
| (F) | Change Request 008 approved ONE-OFF funding in FY20/21 to supply additional kit to selected AOS and PNT. i.e., not all members of AOS and PNT: |
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1. Selected Level 1 Responders – AOS: will receive a Supplementary Entitlement over and above their Standard Entitlement. AOS L1 Supplementary Kit consists: One set of HAP, one set of soft armour, one overt carrier, one duty belt, one set of pouches, one patrol bag. |
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2. Selected Level 2 Responders – AOS: will receive a Supplementary Entitlement over and above their Standard Entitlement. AOS L2 Supplementary Kit consists: One set of HAP (to upgrade their current L2 BAS to meet L1 threshhold). In addition, they are to receive One set of HAP, one set of soft armour, one overt carrier, one duty belt, one set of pouches, one patrol bag. |
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3. Selected Level 1 Responders – PNT: will receive a Supplementary Entitlement over and above their Standard Entitlement. PNT L1 Supplementary Kit consists: One set of HAP, one set of soft armour, one overt carrier, one duty belt, one set of pouches, one patrol bag. They will also receive one covert carrier. |
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4. Selected Level 2 Responders – PNT: will receive a Supplementary Entitlement over and above their Standard Entitlement. AOS L2 Supplementary Kit consists: One set of HAP (to upgrade their current L2 BAS to meet L1 threshhold). In addition, they are to receive One set of HAP, one set of soft armour, one overt carrier, one duty belt, one set of pouches, one patrol bag. They will also receive one covert carrier. |
At your appointment you will be measured and fitted for your BAS by the professionals from Tactical Solutions. You will be shown how to configure and correctly wear your BAS, how to make fitting adjustments, how to wear and attach appointments, and how to clean and store your BAS.
Recruits, District staff and Service Centres:
- No – Tactical Solutions, via Police District Workforce Planners, will be in touch to schedule an individual measuring and fitting appointment.
New Authorised Officers, non-sworn trainers or constables re-joining Police:
- Yes – Supervisors that are recruiting Authorised Officers, trainers, and managing re-joins need to contact Tactical Solutions directly at bas@tactical.co.nz or (09) 222 3 666.
About the BAS
The Body Armour carrier system is made by Cooneen Protection. Cooneen Protections’ team of fabric, garment, pattern technologists and designers have many years’ experience in the design of military and police uniform.
Cooneen provides the body armour panels, carrier system, duty belt, pouches and bag. Cooneen have contracted Craig International to provide the hard armour plates.
You can find out more about Cooneen Protection here.
No. You cannot purchase your own appointments or use your own add-ons. If something isn’t working, let Tactical Solutions know as soon as possible so we can address any issues as they arise.
The funding of BAS for through-life support is centralised to Response and Operations. This is to ensure all frontline staff who wear armour are treated consistently and receive replacement items within their Standard Entitlement in a timely fashion. Staff who require items outside of their Standard Entitlement should contact Tactical Solutions to arrange this.
Note that the BAS and its components are not included in the SAP catalogue as Police has outsourced the supply and service to Tactical Solutions.
Laws and our Police policies require you to have your body armour on hand whenever you are deployed. Body armour is a key piece of personal protective equipment for our staff safety and deployability. You must therefore pay special attention to the care, condition, use and serviceability of your BAS.
The system is made up of
- A carrier
- Hard armour plates
- Soft armour panels
- Attachment pouches
- Duty belt
The attachments include:
- Handcuff/PPK
- Baton
- Mobile
- Officer Safety Alarm
- OC Spray
- Radio
- Taser and holster attachments will be issued separately (if not already received)
You will also receive a sleeveless high vis jerkin and long sleeved hi vis jacket.
You’ll receive a pamphlet with some of the key information you need to know about your new BAS. Please take your time to read through it so you understand what your responsibilities are and the key changes to and processes.
You can also see the Body Armour Training Videos section of this site.
BAS stands for Body Armour System.
We have chosen to move from individual pieces of equipment and different providers to a coordinated “system” of equipment that works together. This enhances carriage, comfort, accessibility and safety delivered by a single partner who is aligned with Police’s operational values and needs.
Donning & Doffing
Go to https://tenone.police.govt.nz/page/body-armour-system-bas-videos for a step-by-step video guide.
Go to https://tenone.police.govt.nz/page/body-armour-system-bas-videos for a step-by-step video guide.
For the BAS to work as intended, it needs to be fitted to your body type. It might feel tight, but it is important to be close fitting to provide you with the best level of protection. Like a new pair of boots, your new BAS will take time to wear in.
If your breathing is restricted when wearing BAS, please let Tactical Solutions know immediately so they can check you are in the correct size and/or make any adjustments to optimise your comfort without compromising your protection.
The BAS has been designed as a complete system including a Modular Light-weight Load-bearing Equipment vest (MOLLE) that can be used along with your duty belt to carry appointments. We encourage you to customise the layout for what works for you, but please note:
- You must keep the Glock on your duty belt. We need to complete further trials to understand the safety of the Glock on the MOLLE. Until further notice, these must remain on the duty belt.
- The OC Spray and Baton Pouches must be worn on the MOLLE carrier. Do not place these on the duty belt as they won’t be secure. We are working on a multi-purpose design for these particular pouches that can be worn either on the MOLLE or duty belt.
- Please do not cut or damage your carrier to accommodate equipment. It voids the warranty and may reduce your level of protection and safety.
Looking after your BAS
BAS should be either stored flat or hung on a special BAS hanger. Do not throw your BAS crumpled up in the bottom of your locker or on the floor.
Hard Armour Plates should be stored in your duty bag in the specially designed pockets inside or within your BAS overt carrier.
It is recommended that you wash the outer carrier on a regular basis.
To clean the outer carrier: Remove all attachments, the hard plates and soft panels and put the carrier in the washing machine on a warm wash, using a mild detergent. The carrier must be completely dry before inserting panels.
To clean the soft armour panels: Wipe down with a damp sponge or cloth using a mild detergent.
To clean the hard armour plates: Wipe down using a damp sponge or cloth using a mild detergent.
DO NOT:
- Immerse panels or plates in water
- Use bleach or starch on the plates
- Put plates in the washing machine or dryer
- Dry clean the plates, panels or carrier.
I Need Help
Notify Tactical Solutions immediately. Then report this to your supervisor and fill out a SECURITY AND PRIVACY INCIDENT REPORTING DATABASE FORM (SPIRD). Click on ‘Create Security Incident’ and fill out the form.
No. You are not to allow any other person to wear your body armour. This applies to the carrier and hard armour plates, which are now also personal-issue.
BAS that does not fit properly (e.g. too small, too long or too wide in the torso area) may fail to provide adequate protection and may not function correctly. Only use your BAS that has been measured and fitted to your specific dimensions.
We are always looking for feedback so we can improve our processes. If you have feedback, please get in touch with Tactical Solutions on bas@tactical.co.nz or (09) 222 3666.
We’d also like to hear about any operational tips, tricks or feedback that could help others optimise the functionality of their BAS and tactical options. This can be done through CheckPoint whenever you want to. Click ‘more’, then ‘Submit Lessons Learnt’ with “BAS” in the headline.
It is really important that upon ending service with Police, you return your soft armour, hard armour, patrol bag, carriers, pouches, duty belt and high visibility garments to Tactical Solutions. Do not return BAS to Lockheed Martin.
Your BAS and its components are the property of Police and therefore an accountable item. It is an approved, and supplied, uniform item as prescribed under Section 4 of the Policing Act 2008.
Please wash your carrier prior to returning it.
The armour issued to you is recorded against your QID in Police’s Asset Management System. This information is used to plan and manage the future recall and replacement of your equipment.
- Annually: High-visibility jackets/jerkins for some staff, depending on usage (If you need high visibility jackets/jerkins replaced before the next scheduled replacement, contact Tactical Solutions)
- 2 years: High visibility jackets/jerkins for Level 1 and 2 Responders and Authorised Officers/Temporary Constables/employees
- 5 years: MOLLE carriers for all staff wearing armour
- 10 years: Soft Armour Panels and Hard Armour Plates.
For size changes, damaged or lost items outside the standard replacement period, contact Tactical Solutions on bas@tactical.co.nz or (09) 222 3666.
An advantage with the new BAS is that they are capable of accommodating weight fluctuations.
If you are concerned with your BAS fit, please contact Tactical Solutions.
BAS Helpdesk
Phone: 09 222 3 666
Please do not use the old style HAP bib in any combination with your new BAS. The BAS has been designed as a complete system and its components should be used as intended to provide you with the greatest level of safety and protection.
If you have been personally fitted with your BAS and still have general-issue HAP, please return them to your District Operations Manager as soon as possible. We are retrieving all general-issue HAP to redistribute to other districts that have not received their BAS yet.
