Assistant Director Jason J. Kepp shows the importance of protecting law enforcement officers when disorder occurs. A properly trained and protected officer will be better able to make critical decisions during intense situations. The author elaborates on the necessity of specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for public order policing and discusses the importance of standards and training. The specifics and interdependencies of distinct PPE, including impact protection, gloves and boots, outer garments, and eye, hearing, and respiratory protection are discussed. Kepp concludes by emphasizing the role of law enforcement leaders, who must balance avoiding the perception of expecting disorder with being prepared to respond to it (by wearing PPE), while constantly assessing the need for personnel protection.
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