Lt. Gov. Helps Launch SB 12 Protective Vests Program in Dallas

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was in Dallas today to observe Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and join Gov. Greg Abbott in announcing the first round of grant funding for Senate Bill 12 — the purchase of protective vests for law enforcement officers on patrol. The grant funds will allow Texas police departments to equip officers with protective vests capable of stopping high-caliber rifle rounds.

“Providing protective vests for every police officer in Texas was a top priority for me this session and that’s why Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, was one of the first bills passed by the Senate. Brave and dedicated men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line for us everyday and I am committed to doing everything we can to protect them. This grant program is one more step the state can take to enhance the safety of our officers and to make sure our police know that, in Texas, we back the blue.”

Senate Bill 12 was one of Lt. Governor Patrick’s top priority bills in the 2017 Legislative session. It provided funding for 32,842 bulletproof vests that can withstand high-caliber rifle rounds, distributed to 453 jurisdictions.

Here is the Lt. Governor’s statement at the event: