Why do riot police wear balaclavas under their head wear?

Sea Horse

Normally whenever rioters throw molotovs or various other liquids it's good to have personal protective equipment. Also good for concealing the officer from recognition leading to retribution.

California Street Cop

Fire protection. Mine is made of Nomex.

frankturk50

In what country?I have been on duty in a number of public order situations in UK and no one wore balaclavas.I have seen officers wearing protective face coverings to protect from firet .

kisser

The same reason Superman wore his Y-fronts on the outside of his tights?

brit_plod

Doesn't happen in the UK... we wear protective headwear with a face-guard, but nothing else

moggle

Police on Public order duties do not tend to wear any head-overs, but when there is a risk of serious violence, objects being thrown or large scale disorder then the Police use PSU trained officers. These officers wear protective clothing including leg protection, arm guards and helmets. They also wear fire proof overalls and head-overs. There have been occasions in this country when people have seen fit to try and fight the police on a large scale including the use of petrol bombs. The head-overs stop you getting burnt, they do not protect your identity.
Each officer will display their warrant number on their uniform and the guidance is that officers numbers are also on their helmets.
The police video public order situations for evidence as do the 'rioters'. Every officer there is identifiable and records are kept of who attends otherwise they don't get paid the overtime...

Bertie

It offers some protection from flying glass/debris and fire.
All things which are likely to come your way in a public order situation

ABSYNTHMINDED

to keep their head warm !!

I think its to keep their head wear from rubbing against there head and to stop them sweating

dont know really just guessing

vdv_desantnik

psychological warfare. It is to intimidate the rioters. Also it is flame proof and it protect officers identity so they are not target of future reprisals

Martin B

Not all of them do. The only point of one of those is to protect a person's identity.

Tracy L

so they can't be identified on the news when they kick the sh*t out of you lol

*****

Shields their identity.

Mr ME

because they do not want to spoil they soft delicate sunset tanned skin of course. we all have seen how good looking most cops are so they obviously need to protect themselves from those harmful ultra violet sun rays or what ever.

rpritchard86

so they cant be identified by rioters and targetted individually later

BDZot

I think it's ballistic protection.

K. Marx iii

They are basically thugs

shitebird

so you cant identify the one who is beating an unarmed and defenceless citizen. its their job as a mob goes most of them cry like babies if you carch a cop on his own they are only tough in a group and if you are handcuffed and defenceless.

Amanda

They are indicating that they are into SM?

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