Riot shields

Riot shields are lightweight protection devices deployed by police and some military organizations. Riot shields are almost exclusively long enough to cover an average-sized man from the top of the head to the knees. Some riot shields are designed to be bullet resistant against low-velocity handgun and shotgun ammunition; however, most are not. They are generally intended to be used in riot control, to protect the user from shrapnel, thrown projectiles, and splash from various weapons such as a Molotov cocktail. They can also be used as short-ranged melee weapons to push back rioters.

Riot shields are used in almost every country with a standardized police force and are produced by many companies. Most riot shields are constructed from transparent, high-impact polycarbonate to enable the bearer to see incoming thrown objects, so the shield can quickly be positioned to deflect them away from the user's body.

Riot shields can come in various shapes, including:

Handle arrangements include:

A type that must be held in both hands does not let the user use a baton or gun in the other hand.

Riot shields are commonly used for protection from thrown projectiles or blunt/edged weapons, but not firearms. Ballistic shields are commonly known by the brand names "Body Bunker" and "Baker Batshield".

The extremely lightweight "Baker Batshield" ballistic shield is popular for police patrol first responders utilizing progressive "Immediate Action Rapid Deployment" (IARD) tactics when approaching high-powered handgun, shotgun or submachine-gun threats.

"Body Bunker" ballistic shields are opaque with a small, clear, armored sight window and commonly have a bright light mounted on the frontal surface. Bunker shields are not normally used by riot police, but more often tactical SWAT teams, as they are bulky, heavy, and designed to be used during slow, methodical operations where there is a higher risk of the officers being shot at.

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