MENU
SEARCHThe former chief executive of Safariland's parent company has acquired the law enforcement gear supplier with its management team from BAE Systems for about $124 million.
Logo via Safariland.
The former chief executive of Safariland's parent company has acquired the law enforcement gear supplier with its management team from BAE Systems for about $124 million, according to a press release.
Warren Kanders, the president and owner of Kanders and Company, acquired the BAE unit with the management team of Safariland. Kanders had previously been the chairman and chief executive officer of Safariland parent Armor Holdings, Inc. prior to its acquisitions to BAE Systems in 2007.
Kanders takes over as chairman and CEO. Scott O'Brien will continue to serve as president.
"The company has a tremendous track record of commitment to safety, reliability and superior product design," Kanders said in a statement. "Safariland also has an unparalleled portfolio of brands in the protective products and equipment space, and Scott and his team has done an excellent job of nurturing and building on this portfolio to position it for future growth."
Kanders initially invested in American Body Armor, a predecessor of the company, in 1996. Between 1996 and 2007, Kanders built the company through a series of 19 acquisitions.
Safariland has been a leading manufacturer of protective products and equipment primarily for law enforcement and military customers since 1964. Key product categories include body armor, duty gear, tactical armor and armor systems, less lethal products, and firearms accessories.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., the company has approximately 1,700 employees at five facilities, including Ontario, Calif., Casper, Wyo., Pittsfield, Mass., and Tijuana, Mexico.
5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.
Read More →
Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.
Read More →
An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.
Read More →
What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.
Read More →
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →
Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.
Read More →
The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.
Read More →
How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.
Read More →