Unveiling Riot Gear: A Global Perspective on Its Diverse Applications
The spike in global riots and protests has become a major trend in the last decade. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, over 132 countries have experienced significant protest. 23 percent of these protests have lasted more than three months. In the United States, civil unrest is carefully approached to preserve public safety while protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. American law enforcement relies on a wide range of riot gear, such as suits, gloves, helmets, and accessories, to protect their officers from physical harm.
In other countries around the world, similar law enforcement equipment is used to maintain crowd control and implement proper safety measures. In fact, riot gear plays a critical role in many law enforcement strategies for handling public unrest.
Learn more about the international practices for the optimal use of riot gear in the police force.
How Riot Gear Is Used Across the World
Gaining a global perspective of the diverse applications of protective riot equipment can help law enforcement leaders better understand the uses and importance of this cutting-edge protective gear.
For example, in Russia, police officers must wear uniforms in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. However, they also have anti-riot kits to protect their officers against possible uprisings. These kits generally contain body armor, helmets, and leg protectors. Bulletproof vests are also provisioned.
In countries like China, riot suits generally include heavyweight, reinforced plastic shell plating with foam padding to help reduce the impact on the body. Shoulder, chest, and groin plates cover much of the body, while shoulder, forearm, shin, and knee guards provide further protection. Chinese police riot gear also includes hip and thigh coverings.
Even in countries like Australia which has a long history of tolerance that recognizes citizens’ right to protest, the use of force by police is sometimes required. To protect officers, Australian riot gear consists of items like riot shields, riot vests with trauma inserts and pouches, triple knee guards, and hard-shell elbow guards.
International Laws that Govern Gun Use
In the U.S., police are legally authorized to use a variety of projectiles, weapons, and other devices to help control rowdy crowds or to deploy during violent encounters with civilians. In addition to weapons, law enforcement officers are expected to wear personal protective equipment, such as body armor, shields, and helmets.
Small law enforcement agencies, as well as agencies that lack sufficient equipment, may call upon other agencies for assistance. Known as a mutual aid system, these requests are generally routed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Upon request assistance from others, these officers are expected to bring their own gun gear and equipment.
Other countries also have laws that govern the use of riot gear as a way to keep law enforcement officers safe during potentially violent protests and public disturbances. In these countries, the use of riot gear is authorized for use as a deterrent or to protect the public in instances of violent civil unrest.
Building Resilient Officers with Haven Gear
Riot gear is used by law enforcement agencies across the world. We outfit law enforcement officers with high-quality riot gear and equipment to help ensure the safety of officers during force. Choose from a wide selection of riot suits, gloves, helmets, batons, backpacks, carry bags, shields, and more. For more information about our riot gear, contact Haven Gear today.