Below are supportive articles by Henry J. Ruiz and the City of Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix PD.
Correction Officers’ Committee Report: Winter 2003 / 2004
Chairman, Henry J. Ruiz
NEEDLESTICK PROTECTION
As corrections and law enforcement professionals, there are many things we must be prepared for, not the least of which concerns hypodermic needlesticks. About 3 years ago I received a disturbing call from a correction officer terrified that he may have contracted Hepatitis C or HIV through a needlestick while searching a new admission into the correctional facility.
As father what “hit home” the most was that the officer was more afraid of bringing a disease home to his wife or children than he was of being infected himself. Although the committee was able to guide and advise him on finding medical assistance, there was a sense that we could do more.
For years this committee has been fighting for disclosure laws on inmates with transmissible diseases, harsher sentences for throwing of bodily fluids on correctional staff, as well worked with doctors, and pharmaceutical companies on testing, and treatment, but where we fell short was on prevention. That is were Turtleskin gloves came in, I did some research and found that the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) who established the body armor testing protocol, had just done the same with protective gloves. One of the glove manufacturers tested, and who rated well was Turtleskin gloves.
The product, TurtleSkin Duty Gloves have gone through extensive field trials and numerous generations in order to evolve into a product that we are highly recommending to all officers. We have found the TurtleSkin Duty Gloves to be the most effective product on the market in protecting officers from cuts and potentially deadly hypodermic needlesticks. In addition to offering outstanding protection, these gloves will not limit your ability to perform your duties. They are thin and comfortable, allowing great dexterity and tactile sensation. You must understand that nothing is hypodermic needle or cut proof, but these gloves offer the highest levels of resistance available today.
Simple tasks such as searching a cell or vehicle can turn deadly if an officer is stuck with a contaminated needle. Risky life-style choices often bring subjects into our custody and in far too many instances similar choices can lead those individuals to contract deadly viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C. Actions such as, injection drug use, tattoos from non-sterile needles or irresponsible sexual behavior significantly increase one’s chances of contracting HIV or HCV.
PBA will not make one penny on this recommendation. The PBA field tested the gloves at the Morris County Correctional facility, and Monmouth County Correctional facility. The purpose of the evaluation was strictly for the advancement of officer life-safety. However, even the best protection on Earth would not be of much use if it were too expensive. On behalf of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association membership, I have negotiated a special price eligible only for NJ PBA members. Offering the TurtleSkin Duty Gloves at a 20% discount to all New Jersey State PBA members. At just over $30 per pair, it is a small price to pay for a pair of gloves that might someday save your life.
CITY OF
In their solicitation, the City made the following statement: "The Police Department has tested similar products and has established the specified product as the only product acceptable for their purpose at this time and alternatives will not be accepted.
"In supplying these
hypodermic needle-resistant gloves to their officers,
The TurtleSkin
Duty Gloves selected by