Strike force to get reinforced riot gear for better protection
The Tamil Nadu police’s Striking Force is all set to get a lighter and better reinforced riot gear, with orders having been placed for 10,000 body protectors.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-04-15 03:30 GMT
Chennai
While the existing riot gear is on the heavier side, the new ones are expected to be light at 3 kg, offering better protection with an impact attenuation above 80 per cent.
Senior officers said that the body protector would be designed in such a way as to ensure restraint-free movement and to protect police personnel from brick-batting, cane and knife attacks, and the projectiles that the personnel usually encounter during riots.
The jacket will have rubber inserts of high-impact resistance in the front and back, and the inserts will be covered by fire-retardant cloth in camouflage pattern. The body protector will also have 2 mm thick thermo-formed polycarbonate sheets with trauma pads. The elbow and shin guards will be ergonomically designed to ensure that the personnel’s limbs are protected if they get mobbed or entangled in riot situation.
Speaking to DT Next, an officer with Armed Reserve wing of Greater Chennai Police said that though the existing gear is also impact-resistant, the new gear would make it much less cumbersome for the personnel. “The elbow and shin guards in particular will be a lot lighter – like the ones worn by cricketers during matches,” the officer said.
The officials tested the sample gear recently and were reportedly thoroughly impressed. “After the riot gear is delivered to the department, it will be distributed to all Striking Force units in each district and also the seven police commissionerates. The new gear can be provided to the Striking Force even when they are deployed to monitor festivals likeVinayakar Chathurthi,” said the officer.
Upgradation
- A lighter and better reinforced riot gear with impact attenuation of 80 per cent to be replaced with heavier ones
- Orders have been placed for 10,000 body protectors
- The jacket will be having rubber inserts for high-impact residence
- Body protectors will be having thick thermoformed sheets with trauma pads
- The officials tested the sample gear recently were reportedly impressed
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android