Georgia senator works to enhance body armor for female federal law enforcement officers

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is working on upgrades in body armor for female federal law enforcement officers.

The Criminal Justice Technology Testing and Evaluation Center reports over 60% of female officers complain of pain and discomfort when wearing body armor.

Ossoff says most body armor is designed for the male frame which could put female officers at risk of injury.

“There’s a particular kind of ricochet injury the way that a bullet can ricochet off the chest on this armor if it is not properly fitted for female soldiers or female law enforcement officers,” Ossoff said.

Ossoff says he wants to make sure all federal agencies have access to proper fitting body armor and local law enforcement officers hope to enhance their body armor as well.

“Sometimes the body wear that we wear isn’t that comfortable but if it were designed for females, I’m sure every female officer would appreciate that across the country,” the Deputy Chief for Albany Police Department Wendy Luster said.

“We wear these 12 hours a day and it might even bring more women in if they knew they could be a little more comfortable. Having it for a woman’s curvature would be a whole lot better, more comfortable and easier to conduct business with,” Jennifer Freeman, a lieutenant with Albany Police Department’s Uniform Division, said.

Senator Ossoff says his office is willing to assist local law enforcement agencies acquire the equipment they need to keep their officers safe.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.