NTOA members in various parts of North America field-tested the jackets and rated them on a scale of zero to five in a variety of categories, such as design, quality, durability, cleaning, and comfort. Both jackets received ratings between four (very good) and five (excellent), which the NTOA defines as, "exceeds the advertised specifications on a regular basis and outperforms others in usefulness and quality of workmanship."

One of the NTOA evaluators from Oregon found the GORE-TEX lightweight patrol shell to be ideal as a lightweight duty jacket, stating, "The fit seems just right, not too bulky like some rainwear and not too tight like many of the current designs...well suited for rain as well as any condition." He summarized his assessment by saying, "It is professional in appearance, so a nice option for patrol."

The windproof and water-resistant WINDSTOPPER® patrol soft shell is designed for dry or damp weather in cold to cool temperatures. A Michigan officer who evaluated this shell agreed that it protected in light rain, and he took it one step further, saying, "Where water resistance usually falls down is at the shoulder seams...However, the water just simply beads and runs off."

According to Steve Lampo, Gore's North American product manager for law enforcement duty outerwear, working with the NTOA on product testing is an honor and an excellent opportunity to ensure that the jackets provide the protection and comfort officers expect. "Having NTOA members evaluate our jackets in real-world environments supports one of our core values — fitness for use, which we define as engineering our products to meet or exceed the challenges of a specific application. We are pleased that our first two offerings in this new product line received such outstanding ratings from the NTOA membership."

These jackets are now available directly from Forum Industries, one of Gore's certified manufacturers, at www.forumindustries.com. For more information about GORE® advanced products for law enforcement, visit www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com/PatrolOfficers, or call 800.431.GORE (4673).

The first two products available in the GORE® advanced products for law enforcement line — the GORE-TEX lightweight patrol shell and the WINDSTOPPER® patrol soft shell — allow officers to put the jacket on and leave it on for the entire shift. In addition to protecting the officers from inclement weather, these highly breathable shells keep them comfortable while moving in and out of the patrol car. The modern fit and style of these shells improve range of motion, and they are also perfect for layering in colder conditions. Designed in several styles, these jackets are available with additional features needed to make the officers’ job easier, such as badge tabs, epaulets, side-zip and draw-string adjustments, and concealable reflectors.

The GORE-TEX lightweight patrol shell delivers comfort at low and high activity levels, with the durable waterproof, windproof and breathable protection that comes with every GORE-TEX product. Its unique construction makes it ideal for wet or dry weather in cool to moderately warm temperatures.

The windproof and water-resistant WINDSTOPPER® patrol soft shell is the lightweight solution for patrol officers during dry or damp weather in cold to cool temperatures. The form-fitting, stretch construction of the WINDSTOPPER® fabric is also extremely quiet.

According to Steve Lampo, Gore’s North American product manager for law enforcement duty outerwear, their development team spent time riding along with officers in different parts of the country to gain a better understanding of their needs — a concept they refer to as fitness for use and one that is crucial to their product development. “The officers spent much of each shift getting in and out of the car, whether handling traffic stops, responding to incidents, or stopping by the station. They were experiencing a broad range of temperatures and weather conditions. When we talked to chiefs, they stressed the importance of providing the officers a jacket they would actually wear rather than one they just throw in the back seat of the car. If officers aren’t going to wear a jacket, why buy it? The durable and highly breathable garment is based on specialized technologies developed for military and highly active outdoor applications. The result is durable protection with extreme comfort so that the officers actually want to wear their jacket. They can put it on at the beginning of the shift and wear it comfortably until the shift ends.”

Lampo also explained a new purchasing model for this product line. “In response to the departments’ need for more purchasing flexibility, we have worked with our licensed manufacturers to develop a new distribution model. In addition to the traditional model in which you purchase through a dealer or retailer, several manufacturers are now offering the option to purchase these products directly.” For more information about the new GORE® advanced products for law enforcement, stop by Gore’s booth #2019 at IACP 2012, visit www.GoreProtectiveFabrics.com/PatrolOfficers, or call 800.431.GORE (4673).