{"id":10913,"date":"2016-02-11T11:30:58","date_gmt":"2016-02-11T16:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=10913"},"modified":"2016-02-11T11:30:58","modified_gmt":"2016-02-11T16:30:58","slug":"riggs-shield-for-mobile-police-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=10913","title":{"rendered":"Riggs Shield for Mobile Police Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RiggsThis week, one of my detectives, who has a relative in law enforcement product sales, brought a ballistic shield to work that was specifically designed for vehicle ambush protection by California Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Riggs.\u00a0 It is called the Riggs Shield<\/a> and was conceived after one of Riggs’ partners was attacked in his cruiser.<\/p>\n

The Riggs Shield mounts on the inside of the driver’s door of a police car and is quickly and easily removed in the event the officer is attacked while seated.\u00a0 By grabbing the handle and pushing the shield forward and up, it pulls away for immediate use.<\/p>\n

Rated at NIJ Ballistics Level IIIa and Stab Level III, the Riggs Shield can provide emergency protection from a variety of threats.\u00a0 It has a section of Picatinny rail for affixing a flashlight on the handle.\u00a0 A hook and loop nylon strap is included, which can give extra stability when holding the Riggs Shield.\u00a0 It also allows for two-handed reloading of a pistol.<\/p>\n

\"RiggsAfter examining the test and evaluation model, we took it outside to check its fit in some of our police cruisers.\u00a0 It fit just fine in a “nearly extinct” Ford Crown Vic, a Ford Police Interceptor SUV, and a Chevrolet Tahoe (with a special Riggs mount).\u00a0 The Riggs Shield was a bit tight in a Chevy Caprice, with the forward part of the shield obscuring the seat adjustment buttons, but it would work, nevertheless.\u00a0 Though we did not have them handy, a Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Expedition will readily accept a Riggs Shield.<\/p>\n

\"Riggs \"Riggs \"RiggsIn manipulating the Riggs Shield, we felt it would give good protection to an officer’s head and neck area and fill some of the gap in the side of a ballistic vest if held in that way.\u00a0 We are taught to square up to a threat to maximize the coverage to our torsos by our vests, but that is not always feasible either in a confined space or when moving.\u00a0 This small shield would be helpful in that respect.<\/p>\n

Aside from ambush protection, everyone had ideas for the Riggs Shield’s employment in felony or high-risk traffic stops, building searches, active shooter calls, and other instances when a little extra armor is not a bad thing.\u00a0 On their website, I found a Riggs Shield can be ordered that fits on the passenger side<\/a> for two-person units.\u00a0 Most of the guys said they would like one in their car, mounted or not.<\/p>\n

The Riggs Shield is Made in the USA and sold only to law enforcement and the Military.\u00a0 It can be bought in a variety of colors and markings, with custom logos available.\u00a0 Ours was a T&E model destined for a South American national police agency, thus the Policia<\/em> lettering.\u00a0 The Riggs Shield has a cost of $299.00.\u00a0 That, to me, is a reasonable price to pay for this versatile piece of safety.<\/p>\n

Randall<\/p>\n