Ballistic shield

A ballistic shield or tactical shield is a hand-held shield that is capable of defeating handguns, shotguns and submachine guns. Less common are heavier and thicker rifle-protection shields that are mounted on wheels for ease of mobility. Ballistic shields have been used by law enforcement throughout the 20th Century.

History

Early ballistic shields consisted of shaped sheet metal with a thin eye slot hole for vision. These were very heavy, which limited their usage in certain tactical situations.

Body Bunker

In the late 1980s, inventor Phil Martino introduced the body "bunker" style of ballistic shield. It utilized modern plastics, including lightweight synthetic fiber reinforced armor, polyethylene armor, and clear transparent polycarbonate and/or acrylic glass windows. Bright lights are commonly mounted onto the front surface of body bunkers. The body bunker is the preferred shield of choice for slow and methodical tactical operations allowing the SWAT operator to hold a shield in one hand, and a handgun in the other hand.

Baker Batshield

In 2003, a patented ballistic shield was introduced into the law enforcement marketplace by Al Baker, and named the " [http://www.bakerbatshield.com Baker Batshield] ". Baker used advances in polyethylene armor to create a foldable ballistic shield that can be carried in the standard patrol car, allowing first responder patrol officers the ability to use a ballistic shield to protect against high powered handguns and shotguns and sub-machine-guns while accurately aiming a weapon. The speed of movement, and accuracy of weapon aim provide ballistic shield bearing law enforcement personnel the ability to approach armed adversaries, as is necessary in the performance of modern Immediate Action Rapid Deployment tactics. It can be worn in a way that leaves both hands free to fire a two-handed gun.

Usage

There are various types of ballistic shields, modified for specific tasks. Lightweight and portable "Baker Batshields" are primarily used by patrol officers when approaching high powered handgun, shotgun or sub-machinegun threats. These modern, extremely lightweight shields allow the user to operate weaponry with both hands.

Generally rectangular in shape, these protective shields have, until recently, been used to provide ballistic protection to law enforcement SWAT tactical team members during dynamic entry situations and approaches towards potentially armed individuals. While SWAT already wear heavier armor than regular officers, it must be noted that their protection usually only covers their head, chest, and other vitals, leaving their arms and legs exposed. The ballistic shield is invaluable in situations where the SWAT team has little or no cover.

A person wielding a bunker style ballistic shield typically carries the shield in one hand, holding onto a bar or handle on the interior surface of the shield, and a handgun in their other hand. Due to the difficulty of the shield bearer in delivering accurate firepower from a handgun positioned in front of the thick armored shield window, most SWAT teams have additional officers following the shield bearer in what is called the "stack". The first following officer in the stack often carries a long gun, so accurate delivery of deadly force can be applied, if necessary, by the long gun wielding team member firing over the head and shoulder of the shield bearer.

Modern ballistic shields are examined against the U.S. government ballistic protection rating standard, NIJ-Std 0108.01. They typically rate Threat Level Type IIIA protection. This rigorous ballistic test impacts the armor in the free standing position, requiring multiple ballistic impacts when tested to simulate being carried in front of the officer without any backing material in direct contact with the rear surface of the ballistic shield.

In the light of recent concerns about suicidal attackers, ballistic shields are quickly becoming standard equipment for law enforcement first responders to use when approaching any potentially armed individual in a publicly accessed area.

See also

* Riot shield