Riot Gear: Protection for Those on the Front Lines
One of the most used pieces of equipment are shields. The idea behind shields is to serve as a barrier between the officer and the crowd in a simple way that is effective yet not cumbersome. L. A. Police Gear has shields for this purpose. The AS-001 Riot Shield and the AS-002 Riot Shield. The AS-001 weighs only a little over five pounds, is made out of polycarbonate sheet and is UV stabilized. The AS-002 weighs seven pounds. The handgrip on both is 3.5 inches in length with a 4-inch circumference.
Damascus Gear has 21-inch round riot shields. These have ergonomic handles that can be used for 2 handed use if the situation should arise. Both the handle and the break-away strap have the ability to protect the officer from electricity from passing through.
Riot-X1 by Blueridge Armor offers hybridized ballistic protection and a large field of view. The Riot-X1 is constructed of the same hard armor ballistic material as their Vengeance series shields which are used by the United States Marshal Service.
Gloves
Durable gloves are an item that is important but often it is overlooked when it comes to choosing riot gear. Gloves specifically made for the purposes of riots or crowd control are made for that type of tactical situation. Safariland has the Defender II Riot Control Glove with Steel Shot. Made out of goatskin they are comfortable yet durable as they are abrasion resistant offering even more protection for officers. Another bonus piece of protection on these gloves is the steel shot that is sewn onto each knuckle. This helps protect from injury from impact.
The Vector Hard-Knuckle High Threat Level Glove from Damascus Gear have molded black hard shell knuckles made out of Carbon-Tek with panels for deflection.
Full Body Suits
Full body suits are necessary for many riot situations. Sirchie’s TacCommander Control Suit gear is durable and made for those instances when more than everyday duty attire is necessary. This suit offers protection and mobility and comes in three sizes so it fits most individuals. The upper back and chest area is expanded for width. The chest area, the forearm and shin pads come in two pieces but offer full protection. With that, each piece of the suit has good mobility without compromising officer safety. These have foam with air holes for circulation and the knee and elbow pads have shock absorption and areas to attach police radios, and can incorporate duty belts.
The DFX2 by Damascus Gear is a full body suit that is able to protect officers from blunt force trauma while remaining comfortable and durable. The chest area includes an aluminum plate for added protection from potential stabbing, while the back plate protects the spine. The elbow, forearm, thigh and groin areas have protectors.
Helmets
Head protection when it comes to a crowd control or riot situation needs to include eye protection as well as head protection. The Riot Control Helmet from Damascus Gear offers reliable, non-ballistic protection. The liner of the helmet is three-quarter-inch thick to absorb energy. The strap includes a quick release buckle and a softer chin cup made of rubber as well as a removable neck protector. They weigh less than four pounds and can accommodate most gas masks.
The 906 Series TacElite EPR Polycarbonate Alloy Riot Helmet from Sirchie provides a clear view for officers, with UV protection and a polycarbonate face shield. The helmet has sweat-wicking capability in the liner. For more eye protection, the face shield has a liquid seal to keep liquids out of the police officer’s eyes.
Having the proper riot gear can make a huge difference when it comes to high stress, tactical situations. With today’s options, law enforcement officers don’t have to compromise safety or comfort with their riot gear.
Hilary Rodela
Hilary Rodela is currently a Surveillance Officer, a former Private Investigator, a former Crime Scene Investigator, and Evidence Technician. She worked for the Ruidoso (NM) Police Department as well as the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement and forensic training and is pursuing forensic expertise in various disciplines. Hilary is a freelance public safety writer and curriculum developer for the National Investigative Training Academy.
