Dear cew-ga;
Having spent more than twenty years in law enforcement I have some
first hand knowledge of the equipment you are asking about and I’d be
happy to answer your question.
Tactical officers primarily use the hoods that you speak of during
raids, high-risk arrests, and dangerous warrant service scenarios and
they serve multiple functions.
- The hood provides a certain amount of concealment in dimly lit to
darkened areas limiting a suspect’s depth perception, thereby
depriving the offender of the ability to aim his weapon accurately
enough to strike the officer in one of the most fatal “kill zones”,
namely the head and face.
- The hood provides anonymity. Officers take every precaution to avoid
future repercussions from an offender’s family and friends. If they
are recognized or identified later, it’s possible that an offender or
his accomplices might retaliate against him or a member of his family
for having enforced the law.
- The hood allows for comfort and snug fit for the helmet. Officers
often employ the use of the hood in order to make sure the helmet is
secure. Securing the helmet as closely to the head as possible is of
paramount importance to prevent a projectile wound to the skull,
especially if the helmet is made of Kevlar (a bullet resistant
material). For Kevlar to be effective, it must be worn snugly against
the body.
- The hood reduces reflective glare. The dark color of the hood
prevents the skin from reflecting light in much the same way that must
does under the eyes of a baseball or football player. This glare, if
reflected properly, can provide an easy target for a potential shooter
or give away an officer’s position to a potential assassin.
- The chemical makeup of the hood can provide protection. Hoods are
often made of, or impregnated with, Nomex, a flame resistant material,
which protects the skin from flash burns in the event of a fire or
explosion. Some hoods are woven with Kevlar, the same lightweight
bullet resistant material used in helmets and bulletproof vests, which
protects the officer’s head from shrapnel and other projectiles.
- And finally, the hood protects the skin to some degree from
abrasions in the event of a physical altercation or from injury due to
direct exposure in the event that chemical weapons or irritants are
deployed.
I hope this answers your questions about the law enforcement hood.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
CopQuest Supplies
http://www.copquest.com/12-2000.htm
Chief Supply
http://www.chiefsupply.com/swathood.phtml
Dupont
“Kevlar, Nomex, and Teflon fiber”
http://www.dupont.com/afs/
Dupont
“Rauf Textile and Printing Mills (pvt.) Ltd.”
http://www.rauf.com/nomex.htm |
