Audit Finds San Antonio Police May be Using Expired Armor

A recent audit has uncovered that some San Antonio police officers have been using protective gear—including body armor, helmets, and naloxone injectors—that are out of date.

The audit examined 263 pieces of body-worn protective equipment across several units and found that 47 were considered expired yet still in use, News4SanAntonio reports.

Deputy Chief Miles Earwood of the San Antonio Police Department explained that the expiration date on police equipment is often when the warranty expires. It doesn't necessarily mean the equipment won't work anymore.

"The item doesn't necessarily just lose its effectiveness. It's just not warrantied. However, obviously, we don't want to be in possession of even items that are going to be considered out of warranty," Earwood said.

The warranty on armor typically lasts five to ten years, Earwood told the audit committee, but the material can degrade over time.