Every day, law enforcement officers respond to unpredictable and dangerous situations—from active threats and violent crimes to natural disasters and emergency rescues. When officers answer the call, having the right equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

Officer safety depends on access to modern, reliable protective equipment. Unfortunately, many departments—especially smaller and rural agencies—do not always have the budget necessary to purchase the tools officers need to safely protect their communities.

That is why Police Officers’ Defense Coalition (PODC) strongly supports the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act of 2025 (H.R. 2654), critical legislation designed to ensure law enforcement agencies maintain access to lifesaving equipment and resources.

What the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act Does

The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act protects law enforcement agencies’ ability to obtain essential equipment through federal surplus property programs, including the Department of Defense’s 1033 Program, which allows surplus federal equipment to be transferred to state and local law enforcement agencies.

The legislation prevents these important programs from being restricted by shifting political decisions and ensures officers can continue accessing equipment necessary to respond effectively to emergencies.

This includes lifesaving resources such as:

• Body armor and protective gear
• Ballistic shields
• Medical trauma kits
• Rescue and emergency response equipment

Whether responding to an active shooter, rescuing victims during a disaster, or confronting dangerous criminals, officers must have the proper tools to protect both themselves and the communities they serve.

Why This Legislation Matters

Public safety should never depend on a department’s budget size or ZIP code.

Across the country, law enforcement agencies of all sizes rely on federal equipment programs to obtain resources that would otherwise be financially out of reach. For many smaller departments, these programs provide access to equipment they could not afford through local budgets alone.

When access to these resources is restricted, the consequences are felt directly by officers and communities. Departments may lose access to tools that help: 

• Protect officers from injury
• Improve emergency response capabilities
• Support search-and-rescue operations
• Keep communities safer during critical incidents

The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act ensures decisions about officer safety are not subject to changing political priorities, but instead remain focused on one goal: saving lives.

Leadership Behind the Bill

The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act was introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R, MN-8), and the bill has earned support from lawmakers who recognize the importance of ensuring law enforcement has access to necessary equipment, including:

• Rep. Don Bacon (R, NE-2)
• Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R, TN-4)
• Rep. Tony Gonzales (R, TX-23)
• Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D, NJ-5)
• Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R, NJ-7)
• Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R, PA-7)

This support demonstrates a shared commitment to providing officers with the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Strong Support From Law Enforcement

The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act has received support from major law enforcement organizations. The FOP has emphasized that access to equipment should not become a political issue that changes from administration to administration. The needs of law enforcement officers remain the same regardless of politics: officers require the tools necessary to safely protect themselves and the public.

Protecting Officers Means Protecting Communities

Law enforcement officers are expected to run toward danger when others run away. They respond to the most difficult and dangerous moments in their communities—and they deserve to know they have the equipment needed to return home safely.

Providing officers with lifesaving gear is not only an investment in law enforcement—it is an investment in public safety.

Police Officers’ Defense Coalition proudly supports the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act because it protects access to lifesaving equipment, strengthens officer safety, supports departments with limited resources, improves emergency response capabilities, and helps officers better protect the communities they serve. Ensuring officers have the right gear saves lives—both for police and for the citizens who depend on them.

America’s law enforcement officers put everything on the line to keep our communities safe. Congress must ensure they have the tools and protection they need to do their jobs. If you support law enforcement, contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to support and pass H.R. 2654 — the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act of 2025.

Tell Congress to give officers access to lifesaving equipment and support departments working to keep communities safe!

Back the Blue. Equip our officers. Pass the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act.