Deluzio: Proposed legislation would get more lifesaving gear to more police officers

We’ve got to have safe communities, and that means making sure our law enforcement officials have what they need to stay safe while protecting and serving all of us. September’s horrible shooting in York County, where three officers were killed and two wounded in the line of duty, is a terrible reminder of how dangerous their jobs are. We should do everything we can to make sure our police officers come home safely at the end of the day.

When Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Chief Mike Vogel met with me in my Carnegie District Office in the spring and told me how his department and others were getting crushed by the rising cost of bulletproof vests, I wanted to help.

Rep. Chris Deluzio (right) meets with Mike Vogel, Allegheny County Housing Authority police chief, in May of this year. (Photo courtesy of Chris Deluzio)

That’s why I proudly introduced new legislation: the Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act. This bill would get lifesaving gear to more cops on the beat.

More specifically, the bill would:

increase the rate of reimbursement from 50% to 60% for law enforcement agencies participating in the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program, and
boost funding for the BVP program to $60 million a year.

I want to thank Chief Vogel for bringing this idea to me and for his tireless service to the community. This is something that we can all get behind, and I hope we can move it forward down in Washington.

I’ll always go to bat for our police officers. And remember: if I can help you or your family with any issues you’re having with a federal government agency, please let me know. I’ve got district offices in Carnegie, Center Township and Penn Hills, and my team stands ready to help. Give us a call at (412) 344-5583.