Measuring of every operational police officer will begin within weeks, following the awarding of a contract to supply multi-threat body armour to WA Police.
The armour selected has been used to protect presidents, prime ministers, commandos and law enforcement officers around the world.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts today announced Australian company Aquaterro as the successful tenderer.
It follows several months of field and trial testing and evaluation by Edith Cowan University.
Aquaterro is the largest Australian-owned law enforcement and operational equipment provider in the country.
The multi-threat body armour vests are designed to offer significant resistance to sharp objects and bladed weapons along with protection against pistol, rifle and shotgun threats.
The Government has increased its initial $15.4 million commitment, adding a further $3.8 million to ensure multiple kits are available to every officer.
Officers in the Regional Operations Group will be some of the first in the metropolitan area to receive their kits, with officers in the Mid West Gascoyne among the first in regional WA.
The kits will also include a trauma pouch used to treat casualties, and is designed to attach to body armour overt carriers or utility belts.
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
"This is about our commitment to protecting our police and making sure they are as safe as they can be on the frontline and that's what we're delivering.
"This equipment is made to measure, of good quality and a very high standard.
"The Barnett-Harvey Government chose not to provide police with this very important measure of protection.
"The McGowan Government is determined that our police have the best available equipment to keep them safe, while they keep us safe."
