Ind. police regret email with female officers' bra sizes

(CBS/WTSP) INDIANAPOLIS - An Indianapolis police commander issued a personal apology to 13 female officers after their bra size, along with height and weight, were included in a department- wide email this week, reports CBS affiliate WTSP.

The email was intended to tell supervisors to inform their officers that their new protective vests were ready to be picked up, reports the station.

"We made a mistake," Indianapolis Deputy Police Chief Valerie Cunningham said. "We want to hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. The measurements should not have been included."

The Tuesday email, which included the name and sizes of 91 officers, included the chest and waist sizes for 13 women whose vests needed special tailoring.

The police union was reportedly exploring possible legal action after several of the female officers said they were upset.

"I understand the anger and embarrassment," said William R. Owensby, Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police president. "It's just one of those unfortunate things where it occurred, and it can't be taken back."

There are 1,640 officers on the Indianapolis city police force; 210 are women. All officers are issued protective vests, which are replaced every three to five years.

Rosanne Manghisi, executive director of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, called it unfortunate, according to WTSP.

"Unfortunately, you don't want that stuff to be exploited," said Manghisi, a retired New Jersey State Police captain. "Women get fitted, and obviously bra size is a part of that. You want to be fitted correctly."