Photo: RNZ / Eva CorlettThe police's $25.3m body armour replacement programme has been hit by major delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The entire police force was supposed to be decked out in new kevlar body armour by the end of June, but that deadline's now been delayed by up to a year. "Despite manufacturing and transportation delays caused by Covid-19, NZ Police's implementation of the new Body Armour System (BAS) is nearing completion, with BAS delivered to 85 percent of relevant staff across New Zealand already. "By 31 October 2021 we expect to have delivered BAS to 95 percent of relevant staff across New Zealand. Originally, the body armour replacement programme was set to cost $20.7m and take four years, finishing on June 2022.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 03, 2021 23:03 UTC