? The Stamford Police Department?s 19 new officers are patrolling headquarters instead of the streets because they do not have bulletproof vests.

Chief Brent Larrabee says his department delayed ordering the vests, which are required by state law for new officers before they begin field training, while he researched how safe each model is. Larrabee says it would have been irresponsible to quickly order the protective vests. However, Michael Merenda, president of the Stamford Police Association, believes the delay is due to disorganization and says this has happened before. Merenda also points out that the department knew the officers were graduating from the academy on January 13, but failed to plan accordingly.

The police department hopes to have the vests in by early next week. The law does not actually require the officers to wear them.