Article: A user-centred development process for an equipment vest for the Swedish police force Journal: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics (IJHFE) 2024 Vol.11 No.1 pp.56 - 77 Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe a user-centred development process for an equipment vest for police officers on active duty. Development and evaluation of the vest were conducted through a multidisciplinary collaboration between the police organisation and external researchers with expertise in ergonomics and biomechanics. The development process was initiated with a user needs analysis, followed by pilot testing of the initial vest prototype. In the extensive usability test, 95 police officers participated. Interviews, focus group discussions, and pressure measurements were conducted to assess the vest's functionality, impact on physical load, safety aspects, and signal value. Throughout the process, several important aspects were identified. Researchers delivered results iteratively to the designers and project manager. The results from the user evaluation guided further development, resulting in an equipment vest tailored to the needs and requirements of Swedish police officers on active duty. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A user-centred development process for an equipment vest for the Swedish police force

Authors: Kristina Eliasson; Teresia Nyman; Roy Tranberg; Louise Bæk Larsen

Addresses: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden ' Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden ' Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden ' Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe a user-centred development process for an equipment vest for police officers on active duty. Development and evaluation of the vest were conducted through a multidisciplinary collaboration between the police organisation and external researchers with expertise in ergonomics and biomechanics. The development process was initiated with a user needs analysis, followed by pilot testing of the initial vest prototype. In the extensive usability test, 95 police officers participated. Interviews, focus group discussions, and pressure measurements were conducted to assess the vest's functionality, impact on physical load, safety aspects, and signal value. Throughout the process, several important aspects were identified. Researchers delivered results iteratively to the designers and project manager. The results from the user evaluation guided further development, resulting in an equipment vest tailored to the needs and requirements of Swedish police officers on active duty.

Keywords: user-centred; development process; equipment vest; police forces; emultidisciplinary collaboration; ergonomics; biomechanics; usability test; physical load.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2024.137126

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2024 Vol.11 No.1, pp.56 - 77

Received: 25 Jan 2023
Accepted: 05 Sep 2023
Published online: 01 Mar 2024 *

Title: A user-centred development process for an equipment vest for the Swedish police force

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