Ballistic glass demonstration at Austin Police Academy, January 30, 2024. Photo by Sumaiya Malik.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is on its way to finishing the installation of bullet-resistant windshields on black and white patrol vehicles used by the Texas Highway Patrol (THP). State legislators authorized one-time funding to install the bullet-resistant glass through SB 2222 by Nelson during the 87th Legislature in 2021, when the number of troopers injured or killed in the line of duty began to rise. THP has less than 500 vehicles left to upgrade, but the need for future upgrades may be ongoing as DPS replaces and retires vehicles.
THP reported that between 2017 and 2021, five highway patrolmen were shot through their patrol unit’s windshield. Two of those troopers died while the others survived after sustaining injuries. None of the vehicles involved had bullet-resistant windshields. Additionally, the National Fraternal Order of Police reported a record number of police officers shot in the line of duty in 2023, with 39 shot in Texas and 4 dying as a result.
Funding for THP operations is part of DPS’s annual budget, but additional funding must be requested from the Legislature for emergent needs. With the passage of SB 2222, DPS received $22 million for bullet-resistant glass on September 1, 2021. Since then more than 2,600 vehicles out of roughly 3,000 have been fitted with bullet-resistant front windshields, side glass, and door panels on the driver and front passenger side in DPS locations across the state. DPS anticipates installation will be complete by the end of May 2024.
According to THP, Texas is leading the nation as the first state to require the installation of bullet-resistant glass on highway patrol vehicles. The vehicles are being fit with federally graded level 3A bullet-resistant glass. DPS states that this level of resistance will adequately protect the pursuit vehicle from virtually all handgun calibers without adding excessive weight to the car. A higher level glass could affect drivability and put officers at greater risk of an accident. The protective glass package is designed to prevent bullets fired at the vehicle from penetrating the trooper’s windows or windshield, which could provide the trooper time to respond to the threat and allow the trooper to fire from inside the vehicle without completely shattering the glass.
While protecting officers confronted by a shooter is the primary goal of these protective measures, there are other benefits to vehicles outfitted with bullet-resistant materials according to THP. For example, in 2023 when a trooper crashed into a tractor-trailer while in pursuit and slid under the trailer, some suggested that the resistant windshield likely helped the vehicle better withstand the crush force, protecting the officer from any major injuries.
However, concerns have been expressed that the weight of the additional glass and side panels could slow down a vehicle in pursuit and hinder vehicle operation. There are also concerns that, if a reinforced vehicle is in an accident, the jaws of life may be needed to get the officer out, further endangering officers if they are unable to be removed from a vehicle quickly.
Supporters say the protective glass will save law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect the public and recommend that the Legislature provides funding to allow all interested law enforcement agencies to install bullet-resistant glass in their pursuit vehicles.
By Donna Steward and Sumaiya Malik
Interim News Briefs 