Is a tactical helmet essential for cops?

There was a time when cops only wore helmets for impact protection. The cops used tactical bump helmets at that time mainly to prevent objects from falling on their heads. Most patrol officers don’t wear ballistic helmets or tactical helmets. However, you are unlikely to find an officer today wearing a helmet, let alone a hat. It seems as if times are changing indeed. The danger of cops being ambushed and killed continues to rise despite police departments discontinuing the use of tactical helmets and hats for head protection. There was the case of the Dallas and Baton Rouge ambushes recently. It claimed the lives of eight officers in this incident. Another incident in which officers engaged a terrorist shooting in close quarters was that at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Several agencies have rethought the increased protection of cops because of these incidents and many others. As police and law enforcement agencies continue to upgrade their patrol officers’ equipment, they are purchasing hard armored helmets. Several police departments recently announced they would be issuing ballistic helmets to their officers, including the NYPD, Fort Worth Police Department, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. In high-intensity situations, police gear like this would provide better protection. Furthermore, it would also improve the confidence and survival rate of cops.

A growing number of agencies place demands on their officers for ballistic and tactical helmets. It may not be so far-fetched after all that the police need tactical helmets. As well, public safety agencies demand ballistic helmets in addition to those in law enforcement. There are also programs for emergency medical services and fire departments to obtain head protection. Each day, cops deal with the danger of ensuring citizens’ protection when they sleep. To perform their duties effectively, they should at least be provided with adequate protection and police equipment.

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