What item should officers carry to be adequately prepared for an active shooter situation?

Carrying ballistic body armor is essential for officers to be adequately prepared for an active shooter situation. This protective equipment is specifically designed to absorb and deflect bullets, allowing officers to carry out their duties with a higher level of safety in a high-risk environment. In active shooter scenarios, where gunfire and other violent threats are present, wearing body armor significantly enhances an officer’s chances of surviving an encounter with an armed attacker.

The focus in such critical situations is on immediate protection and response capabilities, and ballistic body armor directly addresses that need. Other items, while potentially useful in various law enforcement situations, do not provide the same level of personal protection against firearms as ballistic body armor does. In an active shooter situation, having the means to protect oneself is crucial for effectively engaging the threat and ensuring the safety of others.