An important issue is currently being discussed at the federal level that will have an impact on law enforcement agencies who receive federal homeland security grant monies and use them to provide their members with personal protective clothing equipment. The issue involves a new standard recently released by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), U.S. Department of Justice, for law enforcement personal protective ensembles for use in a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) hazard environment. Incidents involving change are coming, and law enforcement leaders now have an opportunity for their perspectives to be heard on these issues.

Vendors can, and some do, tell agencies anything to make a sale. But how can an agency be sure that the equipment it purchases will perform as promised? The best way to verify the performance of a particular product is through independent, third-party testing in combination with recognized performance standards. Buyers should always ask every salesperson about availability of third-party testing data before making a purchase. In some cases, the response from the salesperson may very well be a vacant stare.