TESTS CONDUCTED ON GELATIN-FILLED DUMMIES HAVE LED SOME POLICE AGENCIES TO CONCLUDE THAT SOFT BODY ARMOR DOES NOT PROTECT THE WEARER BECAUSE THE IMPACT LEAVES A LARGE DENT IN THE GELATIN. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A STATIONARY MANNIKIN AND A FREE-STANDING HUMAN BEING ARE SUMMARIZED. IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IT IS NOT THE IMPACT OF A BULLET ON FLESH THAT CAUSES THE DAMAGE BUT THE LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE VITAL ORGANS; THE POSITION IS TAKEN THAT IF THE HOLE IS PREVENTED MOST OF THE DAMAGE WILL BE PREVENTED. A SERIES OF CASE HISTORIES ARE THEN PRESENTED. IN EACH ASSAULT, THE OFFICER WAS WEARING SOFT BODY ARMOR AND SUFFERED ONLY SUPERFICIAL BRUISES OR OTHER MINOR INJURY. IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT NO ONE HAS YET BEEN KILLED BY BLUNT TRAUMA, SUCH AS A SOLID PUNCH OVER THE HEART OR A KICK IN THE KIDNEYS, WHILE WEARING A SOFT BALLISTIC VEST. THE WEARING OF SOFT BODY ARMOR IS RECOMMENDED FOR EVERY POLICE OFFICER. PURCHASE OF A SECOND-HAND VEST IF ONE CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ONE IS CALLED A GOOD INVESTMENT. (GLR)