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Council approves replacement rifle plates for police after prior plates failed independent tests
Summary
Following tests showing some previously purchased rifle plates did not meet NIJ standards, council approved purchase of NIJ-certified replacement plates at a cost below the budgeted amount; staff expect potential restitution from the original vendor is unlikely but legal action at the state level is underway.
Brecksville City Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing purchase of NIJ-certified rifle armor plates for the police department, after staff said earlier-purchased plates were later found to have been imported and not NIJ-tested as advertised.
Chief Prennick summarized the background: the city purchased rifle plates in 2021 from a vendor that marketed them as U.S.-made and NIJ-certified. In October 2023 a Homeland Security investigative unit and local SWAT testing found some plates “failed miserably,” and federal charges have since been brought against the company owner. The chief said the city turned over serial numbers to the seller’s representatives and “we’re probably not gonna get anything,” though lawyers and the Ohio attorney general have filed lawsuits that could lead to restitution.
Chief Prennick told council the department selected NIJ-certified plates from a reputable supplier; the item is being purchased through the State of Ohio Administrative Services purchasing program. He said the city had budgeted $30,000 but the actual purchase cost came in under budget at $17,457 because the selected plates were on sale. “We budgeted 30,000 and it's $17,457. They are on sale. That's why we got such a good price,” the chief said.
Council passed Ordinance 5785 authorizing the purchase and declaring an emergency. The roll-call vote recorded seven ayes and no nays.
Why it matters: Replacing noncompliant ballistic plates restores full protective equipment for police officers and addresses a procurement and product-safety failure tied to an out-of-state vendor and ongoing legal actions.—
