Body Armor Put Police at Risk, Suit Says

HARTFORD, Conn. — State officials on Wednesday sued a manufacturer of bulletproof vests used by police, saying the vests were defective and endangered officers.

The vests are woven with a synthetic fiber known as Zylon, which has been shown to weaken earlier than expected. Their durability was called into question in June, when an undercover Pittsburgh officer was hurt when a bullet pierced his vest.

Connecticut’s lawsuit against Second Chance Body Armor Inc. demands refunds for the vests.

“Second Chance volunteered police officers for real-life Russian roulette and unconscionably put the lives of Connecticut’s police at risk,” said state Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal.

A company spokesman said Second Chance officials had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it, but he noted that the company had discontinued the two models of the Zylon-based vest that had problems.

Suits also have been filed by Massachusetts’ attorney general and on behalf of police in Georgia. The U.S. also has launched a review of Zylon body armor.