Riot shield

A riot shield is a lightweight protection device, typically deployed by police and some military organizations, though also utilized by protestors.

Riot shields are typically long enough to cover an average-sized person from the top of the head to the knees, though smaller one-handed models may also be used.

Riot shields made for law enforcement are typically constructed from transparent polycarbonate to enable the bearer to see incoming thrown objects.

Riot shields used by protesters are often constructed from improvised materials, such as wood, scrap metal or plastic barrels.

While riot shields are shown to be effective in protecting the bearers and preventing protesters from breaking through police lines, their use may actually encourage people to throw objects.

[9][10] While the Metropolitan Police Service designed them to be a passive and defensive item only, New Scientist reported "the production of the shields [at Lewisham] was part of what can only be described as an extremely aggressive operation".

[12] Some shields used to counter rioters offer a form of ballistic protection against lower velocity ammunition fired from handguns or shotguns.

[12] Shields will typically be slightly cylindrical and have handles made out of either metal or reinforced plastic affixed to them with either glue or grommets.

[16] In 2011, Raytheon filed a patent for an acoustic riot shield that emits "a low-frequency sound which resonates with the respiratory tract, making it hard to breathe".

[17] Protesters may also deploy their own improvised riot shields, made from material such as wood, particle board or scrap metal.

[12] Riot shields have been shown to be an effective way of driving back protesters and preventing them from pushing through police lines.

If this combination is not deemed sufficient police may escalate to using additional methods such as water cannons, CS gas and rubber bullets.

[12] While riot shields offer an effective form of protection in themselves, their use may encourage people to throw objects at the bearers.