How Police Departments Can Keep Issued Body Armor Fresh
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Short answer: Most issued body armor can’t be machine washed, so sweat and odor build up shift after shift. A spray made for ballistic gear lets officers neutralize that odor quickly without taking the vest apart. Departments can buy Arrest My Vest in bulk by applying through our wholesale application or by emailing info@arrestmyvest.com.
Why does issued body armor smell so bad?
A ballistic vest sits against the body for an entire shift. It traps heat, absorbs sweat, and rarely gets a chance to air out between calls. Over time, odor builds up in the carrier and the padding. Duty belts, helmets, gloves, and boots go through the same cycle. The result is gear that smells long before it wears out.
Why does it matter to a department?
Odor seems like a small issue until it shows up everywhere. It fills patrol cars that get shared between shifts. It lingers in locker rooms and briefing rooms. It follows officers into community meetings, school visits, and court. It even goes home with them at the end of the day.
Most departments leave gear care to the individual officer. That usually means a household air freshener, a hanger in the garage, or nothing at all. Masking sprays wear off quickly, and gear that can’t go in the wash never really gets clean. Officers end up wearing equipment they don’t feel good about, every single day.
What is the safest way to deal with vest odor?
Ballistic panels are not designed to be soaked or machine washed, so the answer is a product made for gear that can’t be laundered. Arrest My Vest is a spray made specifically for body armor, carriers, duty belts, helmets, boots, and gloves. Officers spray it on, and they can wear their gear right away.
How does Arrest My Vest work?
Arrest My Vest is powered by proprietary OAM Technology, which stands for Odor Absorbing Molecules. Instead of covering odor with fragrance, it neutralizes odor at the molecular level, so the smell does not return when the vest heats up on the next shift. It works instantly on contact. The formula is nontoxic, free of enzymes, leaves no residue, and is safe for body armor and K9 units.
What should a department order?
Every product in the line is available in bulk, so a department can match products to how the gear is actually used.
- Gallons work well for a central supply room, a locker room, or a quartermaster station where officers can refill.
- 16 oz sprays can be issued directly to officers with their gear.
- 4 oz sprays fit in a patrol car, a duty bag, or a locker.
- Unscented is available for units that prefer no fragrance at all, and five other fragrances are available for officers who want one.
- Laundry Booster eliminates odor from uniforms and base layers that do go in the wash.
Who makes it?
Arrest My Vest is made by OAM Solutions in St. George, Utah. It was founded by Paul C. Anderson, a chemical engineer with more than 40 years in the industry, including over 20 years leading fabric care at Procter & Gamble. More than 1 million bottles have been sold to officers, deputies, troopers, corrections staff, and K9 handlers who wear their gear every day.
How can your department order in bulk?
Fill out our wholesale application and enter your department or agency name in place of a store name, along with your phone number and email address. Use the comment box to tell us about your department, how many officers you equip, and which products you are interested in. Our team will review your request and follow up with next steps. You can also reach us directly at info@arrestmyvest.com.
