For St. Pete police officers, and most law enforcers, wearing bullet-proof vests are optional. They're hot, extremely heavy and unwieldy.
But now, St. Pete officers have new, custom vests that are a fraction of the weight of the old ones.
In addition, officers can fit lighter-weight rifle plates inside the new vests.
St. Pete PD is among the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to use the new vests, which also protect officers from other high-powered weapons.
The cost is $277 per vest, but they only have to be replaced every two years. The old standard vests cost $59.80 per vest, but had to be replaced every four months.
(photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department)