5 Holiday Safety Tips For Law Enforcement Officers

For many people, the holidays are a time to enjoy the company of friends and family. In addition, there are often a lot of events held where crowds gather to celebrate. Keeping those spaces safe and conflict-free is often the job of law enforcement officers.

In addition, it’s law enforcement that deals with the violent crime that occurs during the holidays. For that reason, those tasked with protecting the public must have riot gear and other protection needed to stay safe during these situations. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Do a Complete Safety Check Beforehand

Law enforcement officers and security personnel do not want to become complacent about the nature of their work. That applies to looking over safety gear as well. Unfortunately, a single mistake, like not checking that your flashlight works or checking your gloves’ fit, can come back to bite you during a dangerous situation.

For that reason, you should make sure that there are no rips or tears in your gear. In addition, you should have batteries and chargers available for any electronic devices you might need during your shift.

2. Maintain Your Personal Awareness

While you may initially only see happy merrymakers and children having fun during an event, that doesn’t mean that a dangerous situation can’t erupt at any second. Because of that, you should stay alert and aware of individuals within your vicinity. Try to maintain eye contact with people who come near you and maintain a confident demeanor.

Even the most careful officer can get caught off-guard. So even if you don’t expect a riot to break out, it’s always a good idea to have gear capable of protecting you against an unexpected attack. You never know when a seemingly peaceful reveler in the crowd might end up becoming a dangerous threat to everyone in the area.

3. Keep a Safe Distance

Any officer called out to oversee a holiday event like a parade, or an outdoor party should position themselves in a place where they can keep any crowd contact at a minimum. In addition, law enforcement should avoid getting into personal conversations with attendees who may be trying to bait them into a charged situation.

4. Stay in Communication With Command

Make sure you have a way to notify your supervisor or other command leaders of any shifts in the behavior of a crowd or other emerging threats. That way, they can send in support in case a situation continues to escalate. Having well-fitting protective gear can keep you safe until backup arrives.

5. Set Up a Secure Vantage Point

If a spontaneous civil disturbance breaks out at a holiday event, set up a secure command post that keeps you some distance from the incident. That way, you can track the seriousness of the evolving situation without putting yourself in danger.

Because you may end up at your post for quite a while, your riot gear should keep you hydrated and protected for the duration of the current situation. That way, you’re ready to go if there’s a reason for you to intervene to deal with an emerging threat.

Keep Community Officers Safe During the Holidays

Law enforcement officials and security personnel need gear that protects them during dangerous situations during the holidays and the rest of the year. Help your department do more to keep personnel safe by checking out the riot suits and other equipment provided by Haven Gear. Contact us today to learn more about fitting your team for top-of-the-line riot gear.