Armor Holdings Observes National Police Week by Announcing Plan to Speed Bulletproof Vests to Cops.

Business Editors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2000

In the midst of National Police Week, and on the heels of President Clinton's call to extend the life of and double the funding for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Act, Armor Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AH) announced today it has created a position on its staff dedicated to helping law enforcement agencies benefit from the BVP program.

The company, whose Products Division manufactures such well-known vest brands as American Body Armor, Safariland and PROTECH Armored Products, sees its new ombudsman program as a way to get body armor into the hands of law enforcement as efficiently as possible.

"Armor applauds the President's support for the Congressional initiative to extend and dramatically increase funding for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program from $75 million to $150 million," said Stephen Croskrey, president and CEO of Armor Holdings Products Division. "By making an ombudsman available to law enforcement, our company aims to make sure that this program does everything it should to protect the more than 900,000 sworn officers who protect us every day."

Armor's ombudsman, known as the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program coordinator, is available full-time to help law enforcement agencies negotiate their way through the BVP online application process, including gathering data necessary to qualify for the program and providing suggestions to help ensure grant approval. The coordinator can also answer questions about the BVP program.

Last year, 92,500 bulletproof vests were purchased by the government through the BVP program. This year, as many as 90,000 more could be purchased. In a May 15 speech, President Clinton called for extending the BVP program with a goal of protecting "every single police officer in the United States with a bulletproof vest."

Law enforcement agencies interested in receiving assistance from Armor's Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program coordinator should call the Armor Holdings Products Division at 1-800/428-0588 and ask for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program coordinator.

Armor Holdings (NYSE:AH), included in FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's 100 Fastest Growing Companies" in 1999, is a leading global provider of security risk management services to multi-national corporations and governmental agencies through its ArmorGroup Services division. Armor Holdings is also a leading manufacturer of security products for law enforcement personnel around the world through its Armor Holdings Products division. ArmorGroup Services provides sophisticated security planning and risk management, electronic security systems integration, consulting and training services, as well as intellectual property asset protection, business intelligence and investigative services. Armor Holdings Products manufactures and sells a broad range of high quality branded law enforcement equipment. Such products include ballistic resistant vests and tactical armor, less-than-lethal munitions, anti-riot products and narcotic identification kits.