NYPD testing bullet-resistant police cruisers in new pilot program to protect officers

LOWER MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) -- Seeing the success of body armor's success in saving the lives of countless police officers, NYPD launched a pilot program Tuesday to make its police cruisers bullet resistant.

The program comes after three New York City officers were murdered as they sat in their cars in the past 18 months, helpless against their killer's guns. Officers Wenjian Liu and his partner, Rafael Ramos, and Officer Brian Moore were all shot to death in their patrol cars.

At a news conference Tuesday, the NYPD said dozens of its patrol cars have been retrofitted with bullet-resistant door panels and bullet-resistant glass - with a total of 60 cars taking part in the pilot program.

The new material is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, making it cost-effective to install on police cruisers for the first time.

The glass and door panels are able to stop a bullet from a 44-magnum.

The new bullet-resistant patrol cars will hit the streets this week. If successful, the program could roll out to all police vehicles.