Editing Riot control (section)

==Equipment==
[[File:tanqueta.jpg|thumb|[[Colombian Police]] armored riot control vehicle with water cannon ISBI]]
[[Image:Polish State Police (Policja Państwowa) before 1939.JPG|thumb|right|Polish riot police squad in the 1930s, with opaque [[riot shield]]s and no helmet visors, as [[polycarbonate]] had not been invented yet]]For protection, officers that are trained in police anti-riot schools performing riot control will often wear protective helmets and carry riot shields. These are designed to protect the wearer from those dangers that come from direct [[melee]] and hurled objects such as bottles and bricks. The gear frequently worn by riot control officers protects the entire body with no vulnerable spots to exploit. For example, the helmets worn by riot control officers have an additional outward-extending part that protects the back of the neck from assault. To provide even greater protection, the protective equipment often provides ballistic protection. If tear gas or other riot control agents are to be used, [[gas mask]]s may also be worn. While the visual of police in full riot gear may be intimidating, today's riot suits are designed to minimize injuries and prevent fatalities for both officers and citizens. This evolution of riot gear signifies a move towards [[Non-lethal weapon|less-than-lethal]] tactics and de-escalation approaches. Contemporary riot gear incorporated innovations such as [[tear gas]], [[Rubber bullet|rubber bullets]], batons, [[pepper spray]], and [[Taser|tasers]], which contributes to minimizing injuries and casualties for all parties involved. These advancements have revolutionized crowd control by shifting from relying on [[Deadly force|lethal force]] to employing more [[Non-lethal weapon|less-than-lethal]] methods that prioritize public safety and safeguard the well-being of law enforcement officers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gear |first=Haven |date=2019-07-09 |title=The History of Police Riot Gear: Changes in Crowd Control Equipment |url=https://havengear.com/blog/the-history-of-riot-gear/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Haven Gear |language=en}}</ref>

One of many additional concerns is to prevent people in the crowd from snatching officers' [[side arms]], which may be stolen or even used against the police. In a very heavy crowd, the officer may not be able to see who is responsible for snatching a weapon, and may not even notice that it has happened. For this reason, [[riot police]] may have [[holster]]s with positive locking mechanisms or other extra means of retention, if their agencies can afford such tools. However, this can be a trade-off that increases the amount of time needed to draw the sidearm in an emergency. Alternately, riot police may not carry sidearms at all.

The initial choice of [[tactic (method)|tactics]] determines the type of offensive equipment used. The base choice is between [[deadly force|lethal]] (e.g. 12 gauge [[shotgun]]) and [[less-than-lethal weapon]]ry (e.g. [[tear gas]], [[pepper spray]], [[plastic bullet]]s, [[taser]]s, [[Club (weapon)|batons]], and other [[incapacitant]]s). The decision is based on the perceived level of threat and the existing laws; in many countries it is illegal to use lethal force to control riots in all but the most extreme circumstances.

Special riot hand weapons include the [[Baton (law enforcement)|wooden or rubber baton]]; the African [[sjambok]], a heavy leather or plastic whip, and the Indian [[Fighting stick|lathi]], a {{convert|6|to|8|foot}} long cane with a blunt metal tip. Vehicle-mounted [[water cannon]]s may serve to augment personal weapons. Some water cannons let police add [[dye]] to mark rioters or tear gas to help disperse the crowds.

In major unrest, police in [[Armored car (military)|armoured vehicle]]s may be sent in following an initial subduing with firepower. Occasionally, [[police dog]]s, fire hoses, or [[mounted police]] are deployed.

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File:Bastille 2007-05-06 anti Sarkozy 487645689 c9fce856e3 o.jpg|[[French Gendarmerie|French gendarmes mobiles]] using tear gas
File:Bastille 2007-05-06 anti Sarkozy 487623928 37656cd319 o.jpg|This [[Mobile Gendarmerie|gendarme]] is shooting tear gas canisters using an Alsetex "Cougar" launcher
File:Vietnamprotestors.jpg|[[United States Army|U.S. Army]] troops attempting to keep [[Opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War|Vietnam War protesters]] from rioting in [[Washington, D.C.]], 1967.
File:VOA Arrott - A View of Syria, Under Government Crackdown 07.jpg|[[Syrian Public Security Police#Criminal Security Directorate|Syrian riot control]] in [[Damascus]] in 2012
File:Warszawa, Marsz Niepodległości 2011 05.jpg|Polish riot control police in [[Warsaw]] at the March of Independence in 2011
File:Riot police by the building of the Cabinet of Ministers.jpg|Defensive line of [[Berkut (special police force)|"Berkut"]] unitmen in [[riot gear]] by the Cabinet of Ministers building in [[Kyiv]] during 2013 [[Euromaidan]] protests.
File:Policiais Manifestacoes 20170209.jpg|Riot control group of [[Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State|Rio de Janeiro Police]] in confrontation with protesters in the historical center of the city.
File:Reparto Celere.jpg|Italian ''Celerini'' in the 1950s.
File:Police Protesters Clash after Eid Prayers in Kashmir 2 Sept 2017 29.jpg|Pellet shotguns have been used by Indian security forces for [[crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir]] against [[Stone pelting in Kashmir|stone pelting]] mobs.
File:Water Cannon used on İstiklâl Caddesi near Taksim Square - Gezi Park, İstanbul - Flickr - Alan Hilditch.jpg|Intervention vehicle for social events that interfered with demonstrators in [[Taksim Gezi Park|Gezi Park]] ([[Istanbul]]) in 2013
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