As National Police Week draws to a close, a bill introduced by Sen. Katie Britt would ensure that female officers at the Department of Homeland Security are properly equipped.

Rep. Britt (R-Montgomery) co-sponsored the bipartisan DHS Better Bulletproof Body Armor Act, which would ensure that female police officers are equipped with next-generation body armor made specifically to best meet the coverage, fit, and functionality needs of female law enforcement officers.

“This National Police Week, and all year long, I'm proud to support the brave women of the Department of Homeland Security who are dedicated to protecting our country and providing outstanding service,” Britt said. “Just as they protect our homeland, they deserve the equipment that keeps them safe while on the job.”

In 2022, the FBI conducted ballistic testing using updated procedures and improved body molds that accounted for different body types. Testing revealed that commonly used body armor, when tested with female and certain male molds, had vulnerabilities that allowed bullets and other projectiles to ricochet off the top center of the front armor panel and strike the throat area, potentially killing or injuring an officer.

“I thank my colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for moving forward with this commonsense legislation to ensure DHS law enforcement officers can go home to their families at the end of each day's workday,” Britt said.

Britt's bill was favorably reported by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The bill is due to be debated in the Senate next.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten