Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have announced a bipartisan bill to provide next-generation body armor designed to meet the specific needs of female law enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The proposed legislation, which has advanced in the Senate, mandates that all agencies under DHS equip their officers with appropriately fitting improved ballistic body armor.

Britt, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, expressed her support for the women of DHS who "selflessly protect and serve our nation with distinction." She stated, “Just as they safeguard our homeland, they deserve equipment that will keep them safe in the line of duty. I’m grateful to my colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for advancing this commonsense piece of legislation."

Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized that all officers, regardless of gender or body type, should have access to effective safety equipment. “We must update these outdated policies to ensure federal law enforcement officers are safe," said Peters.

The need for this legislation was underscored by a 2022 FBI study that found vulnerabilities in commonly used body armor when tested on female and certain male molds. The study revealed that bullets or other projectiles could ricochet off the top center of the front armor panel and into an officer's throat area—a potentially fatal scenario. Improved ballistic body armor has since been developed but is not currently provided by DHS to its officers.

The bipartisan DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act would mandate all agencies under DHS to provide their female law enforcement officers—and any law enforcement personnel—with improved ballistic body armor. The full text of the bill can be found here.