The OLES helps law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice agencies ensure that the equipment and technologies they use are safe, dependable, and effective. The Office applies science and technology to the needs of the criminal justice community, including law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, and the fire service. The Office focuses on the development of performance standards and conducts studies that result in the publication of technical reports and user guidelines. The Office conducts research on protective clothing, communication systems, emergency equipment, investigative aids, protective and enforcement equipment, security systems, traffic enforcement systems, vehicles, weapons and ammunition, and analytical techniques and standard reference materials used by the forensic science community. OLES develops methods for testing equipment performance and examining evidentiary materials; develops standards for equipment and operating procedures; develops users’ guides and standard reference materials; and performs other scientific and engineering research as required by the National Institute of Justice. Some of the project goals of the weapons and protective systems are to manage programs and oversee evaluation efforts for weapons, protective equipment, and ammunition. Another project is aimed at providing technical support to the traffic enforcement system in detection, inspection, and enforcement technologies. Research and development efforts in the areas of polymers, chemical systems and materials, including detection drugs of abuse and weapons of mass destruction, are another project goal. The primary goal of another project is to lead the development of wireless telecommunications and information technology standards, profiles, and guidelines for interoperability, and information sharing among criminal justice and public safety agencies of State, local, and Federal levels.