CTS 7290 Flashbang: A flashbang like the CTS Model 7290 is a non-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorient an enemy’s senses. It is designed to produce a blinding flash of light and an intensely loud bang without causing permanent injury. The flash produced momentarily activates all photoreceptor cells in the eye, making vision impossible for approximately five seconds, until the eye restores itself.
MSA Riot Control Gas Masks: MSA offers a full line of CBRN and riot control gas masks to protect law enforcement personnel from a variety of respiratory hazards. Featuring flexible lenses, wider fields of view, permeation-resistant construction and built-in speaking diaphragms, these masks provide protection with a comfortable fit and superior visibility. A variety of styles and configurations are available.
Defense Technology 12-Gauge Marking Round: The Drag Stabilized 12-Gauge Marking Round is a translucent 12-gauge shell loaded with a 40-gram, tear-shaped bag made from a cotton and ballistic material blend and filled with #9 shot. This design utilizes four stabilizing tails and smokeless powder as the propellant. The round has a velocity of 270 fps with a maximum effective range of 75 feet.
AAMI Weapons MGL-LTL: The Multiple Grenade Launcher-Less Than Lethal (MGL-LTL) from AAMI Weapons has been developed around the needs of the modern tactical team. The launcher is capable of firing a wide variety of 40mm less-lethal ammo. This adaptable launcher also features the KeyMod rail system for the addition of grips, lights, lasers and other accessories. The adjustable stock system helps the operator to achieve the correct cheekweld and length of pull.
Defense Technology Riot Control CS Grenade: The Riot Control CS Grenade is designed specifically for outdoor use in crowd-control situations where it expels its payload in approximately 30 to 40 seconds through gas ports located on the top of the canister. This launchable grenade measures 6 by 2.35 inches and holds approximately 2.7 ounces of active agent.
SECPRO Anti-Riot Suit: The effective and consistently reliable SECPRO Police Ultimate Anti-Riot Suit is easily deployed and/or removed for riot control, cell extractions or other tactical situations. The suit provides substantial protection from blunt-force trauma. Hard-shell protectors are used for covering and protecting most of the body. They are designed to withstand hard blows, and prevent penetration or stabbing by sharp tools. The suit protects the upper body and shoulders, forearms, thighs and groin, knees and shins, and even the user’s knuckles. The riot suit comes in a heavy-duty gear bag.
Monadnock 906 Tac-Elite Riot Helmet: Monadnock’s non-ballistic 906 Tac-Elite Riot Helmets offer the critical features and protection required by response teams today. They meet or exceed the NIJ 0104.02 Riot and NIJ 0105.01 Crash standards. The helmet features a quick-release buckle with a high-retention strap system; a soft, flexible chin cup; and an injection-molded neck protector with high-density foam padding for added comfort. The helmet weighs approximately 3.1 pounds.
Paulson Body Shields: With a superior smooth-edge finish by computer-controlled cutting, dielectric hardware and a shield with an optical quality that is superior to most, it’s no wonder that Paulson is the supplier to the U.S. military. The ergonomic handle allows two-handed use for extreme circumstances. The handle and breakaway strap are dielectric and can be reversed for left-or right-handed use. The nylon arm strap is easily adjustable while in use.
PepperBall LIVE and LIVE-X Projectiles: PepperBall projectiles contain a powdered PAVA irritant that is effective even if a suspect is out of view. They are launched from high-pressure air launchers and have been deployed since 1999. Pepper-Ball products have been proven safe and effective by over 8,000 agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the NYPD.
Safariland Stinger Grenade: The Stinger Grenade is a maximum-effect device that delivers three stimuli for psychological and physiological effects: rubber pellets, light and sound. The Stinger Grenade is most widely used as a crowd management tool. It delivers .60-caliber rubber balls along with stunning light and sound. Safariland also offers versions of the Stinger that incorporate CS or OC chemical agents.
From the earliest days, those tasked with keeping the peace have been used to control large dangerous riots. The first ancient instances of this tended to be heavy-handed affairs, as land barons or rulers used hired men to remove crowds. The cliché of the “brute” squad comes closer to the truth than most know.
With the establishment of a formal law enforcement entity and evolution in policy, tactics and philosophies have improved. Unfortunately, in many cases, the law enforcement side is the only one who has moved forward. Scenes of rioting crowds throwing rocks, bottles and worse are common. The byproduct of this is technological advances in gear designed to protect the officers charged with keeping the peace.
Let’s take a short stroll through some of the best and most effective gear used to control rioting crowds as well as protect the officers tasked with getting it done.
For more information on the riot gear shown in the above gallery, please visit the following websites:
