Harris County mulls proposal to give more officers bullet-proof vests

HOUSTON -- On Wednesday, authorities credited a bullet-proof vest with saving the life of an officer who was shot during a confrontation with a suspect in northeast Houston. Now a proposal in Harris County could put more ballistics vests in the hands of more officers.

The Houston Police Department requires that every officer who is on duty to wear one. Though a spokesperson says they are allowed to take them off if the heat index surpasses 100 degrees. HPD pays for and gives a vest to each officer.

Similarly, the Harris County Sheriff's office says its on-duty deputies are required to wear department-issued vests as well.

But the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's office does not provide protective vests so there is no mandate that deputies wear them. It is however, recommended the deputies wear vests for their own "personal safety."

Deputies there tell Eyewitness News they are forced to buy their own vests to try and make sure they can go home safely every night. They can run upwards of $500 each. Some cost as much as $800.

Harris County Commissioners will soon hold a vote that could change things.

Pct. 2 County Commissioner Jack Morman's office says they are considering the allocation of $500,000 from county reserve funds and $250,000 from Constable and the Harris County Sheriff Office's budgets to buy vests for all officers who serve in high risk patrol or investigative positions. The effort is said to include not only the purchase of new vests, but also the replacement of damaged or out of warranty vests already in use.

Commissioners could vote on this effort later this month.