The Milipol in Paris is a leading event for homeland security and safety. Gore Associates David Raso (Sales France and Iberia), Janice Lau (Application Engineer), Katja Christof (Product Specialist) and Dominique Bruyen (Professional Footwear France and Switzerland) are experts in the French police garment market and share their insights about the Gore garment technologies and explain how innovations from GORE-TEX Professional can help. 

What are the key challenges that police officers face with protective clothing? 

David Raso: Police forces often have to compromise comfort in favour of protection, which can increase the risk of heat stress when heavy, bulky garments are worn over body armour and other layers. 

So, the key challenge is to maintain high flame-retardant protection without increasing the risk of heat stress or tiredness from wearing heavy gear for long periods. 

Officers can be deployed in every kind of weather for extended periods of time and so keeping warm and dry in winter and cool and comfortable in summer is also often a problem. What they want is the same level of protection, but with improved comfort performance that is appropriate to the conditions. 

How do police forces deal with the challenge of operating in varying environments? 

David Raso: There is often a temptation to improve comfort by reducing the level of flame-retardant protection. Depending on the conditions, their gear becomes too uncomfortable to operate effectively so sacrifices are made on protection, which in turn increases the risk of injury. Or they choose protection over comfort and increase the risk of heat stress. 

What role does comfort play in operational effectiveness? 

Janice Lau: Comfort is the most critical factor that affects an officer’s ability to stay focused on their task for as long as possible. As soon as we become uncomfortable it affects our ability to move quickly and starts to impede decision making. In operational situations where risks are changing and evolving rapidly, officers need to have as few distractions as possible and maintain their concentration levels to avoid possible injury. 

The new GORE-TEX fire-retardant garments are lighter and more comfortable but don’t compromise on protection. They are designed to withstand the abrasive rigours of operational duty. They have low water pickup and dry quickly, so officers don’t feel weighed down and cold by heavier wet garments in the rain. 

How can GORE-TEX Professional’s innovations enhance operational effectiveness? 

Janice Lau: The range of flame high-performance flame-retardant garments gives police officers a choice of options to best meets their operational needs. They are waterproof, breathable and durable, delivering enhanced comfort without compromising the critical protection required to keep officers safe. 

The use of fire-retardant stretch panels creates a better fit while still offering greater freedom of movement and a softer, more comfortable garment.  

The GORE-TEX PYRAD® solutions enable police forces to maintain flame retardant protection in everyday rain gear and match the garment colour to their current corporate identity. 

What difference does stretch technology make to performance? 

Katja Christof: The unique flame-retardant GORE-TEX stretch technology improves comfort and protection with enhanced freedom of movement and agility. It creates a better and smarter fit and offers the flexibility to add or remove layers to best suit the conditions without compromising comfort or critical protection from weather, exposure to flames and liquid chemicals. 

Why is flame retardance so important? 

Katja Christof: The increasing use of pyrotechnics and Molotov cocktail like devices at public order events significantly increases the risk of burns to officer from heat and flame. It is crucial that that have effective protection from flame and flash fire that can occur at any time during these operations. 

What are the current footwear trends in the French police & gendarmerie? 

Dominique Bruyen: For law enforcement officers, footwear has to be lightweight and robust, offering a high level of protection and immediate comfort. Quality and safety cannot be compromised. Sports-inspired tactical footwear is now widely adopted. 

GORE-TEX Professional launches new EXTRAGUARD upper material for Police end use: how will this support the policiers et gendarmes ? 

Dominique Bruyen: Until now, we've offered a range of linings (with different levels of insulation) and adapted technologies. Now we're breaking new ground with a highly resistant, lightweight, waterproof and breathable upper material that doesn't absorb water even in extreme wet conditions. Its use on the upper of the shoe, instead of a traditional construction, provides even more durable waterproofing and saves a considerable amount of weight. The shoes will be much lighter, and will stay light. 

Visit us at MILIPOL in Paris and contact David, Janice, Katja and Dominique who will be at the booth to answer your questions. 

If you do not yet have a ticket, please request it here. 

November 14-17, Paris, France, Hall 5, Stand C110