Body armor and other personal protective equipment are essential pieces of the modern police officer’s kit. I wear a ballistic vest daily, and admittedly it took some getting used to, especially going through field training in the hot Texas summer. Now it’s become second nature to wear and offers a peace of mind I’m very thankful for.
Nonetheless, some situations still arise when an extra layer of protection may be desired, and many departments are now issuing ballistic shields to patrol officers as well as tactical to meet the challenges and dangers that sometimes accompany those situations.
Earlier this year, I attended a brief training utilizing a ballistic shield. This was the first time (outside of video games) I’d ever used a ballistic shield, and the first thing I noticed upon picking it up was how heavy it was. I’m a big guy and work out regularly, yet after a minute or two of holding the shield at the ready position, my bicep began to burn from the weight.
I couldn’t imagine the fatigue from a prolonged use in the ready position, but I certainly walked away from the training with an appreciation for ballistic shields.
LIGHTER WEIGHT MEANS EASIER CARRY
Recently I had the opportunity to try the GC Patrol Shield from Graphene Composites (GC). This is a ballistic shield that is suitable for patrol carry and rated to stop a myriad of rounds an officer might encounter, including rifle rounds.
The GC Patrol Shield stops multiple rounds at close range, including 9mm full metal jacket, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, 5.56x45mm M193, 7.62x51mm M80 (NATO) and 7.62x39mm MSC. In testing, it was even able to stop stacked rifle rounds, which is a testament to its strength. I’d soon learn that strength was just one of many features that makes the GC Patrol Shield unique.
The first thing I noticed upon inspecting the Patrol Shield was that it had both horizontal and angled handholds.
The placement of the horizontal handhold felt natural and comfortable, and I could feel a discernible lightness to the shield, which weighs in at around 20 pounds.
I wanted to use the angled handholds next, which come affixed for both right-handed and left-handed users. To me, in addition to the weight, this was where the Patrol Shield really shines. When using the angled handholds, I felt more of the weight being distributed on my shoulder instead of my bicep. With the ability to switch between the two handhold positions, an officer would be able to conserve stamina when holding the shield at ready.
The shield also features the ability to add a sling with hooks affixed to the back, which would definitely be important should an officer need to utilize both hands.
At the front of the Patrol Shield is a Velcro section where agencies can personalize their shields with their agency logo, officer or unit designation or anything else they see fit. I can see this being useful for assigning shields to different units or specific officers to avoid confusion. It could even be used to affix a camera or illumination source if an agency so desired.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
The GC Patrol Shield packs several features that aren’t apparent to the naked eye. I spoke to Darren Delaney of Graphene Composites to learn more about its rich feature set.
For starters, while many ballistic shields are curved, the GC Patrol Shield is flat, which makes it easier to store and stow in vehicles. The interiors of squad cars can be cramped enough as it is, but the ability of the GC Patrol Shield to stow in places a curved shield couldn’t makes it an attractive option for agencies where space is at a premium.
Delaney explained that the GC Patrol Shield is different in that its composition uses a combination of graphene, the world’s strongest material, and aerogel, its lightest, that disperses kinetic energy in a unique way that allows the Patrol Shield to survive “edge shots,” or shots on the very edges of the shield. I found this to be especially comforting – when presenting the Patrol Shield at the ready, I noticed the edge would be right around eye level – and especially important when considering a shield-bearer may have a partner being protected by these edges.
The GC Patrol Shield’s composition does more than just protect against edge rounds; it also allows the shield to be unaffected by heat or cold. This is extremely important, especially to agencies that may store the shields in a patrol car. I know from living in Texas that a vehicle can get exceptionally hot in the summer. The last thing you want is a shield that warps due to being left in a squad car that goes long periods without any climate control.
Unexpectedly, the GC Patrol Shield is buoyant and will float upon contact with a body of water. While I was tempted to try this out in the backyard pool, I decided Darren wouldn’t much appreciate me plunging the shield into a chlorine-laden swimming hole.
Initially I didn’t see a use for this attribute in my role as a school resource officer, but I was quick to recognize there are agencies that work in coastal regions or in areas with large lakes that might utilize the GC Patrol Shield on boats – a GC Patrol Shield that fell overboard would be able to be easily retrieved, versus other shields that would meet a murky demise in the depths.
Another useful feature of the GC Patrol Shield is that it’s able to mask thermal signatures. Thermal optics used to be extremely cost-prohibitive, yet with their prices falling every year, they become more and more ubiquitous, and the same goes for thermal cameras. The ability of the GC Patrol Shield to offer protection against such devices would be a boon to SWAT team members, especially when running warrants on homes that may be equipped with exterior thermal cameras.
CONCLUSION
After my time with the GC Patrol Shield, I learned there’s a lot to love about it. From the light weight and maneuverability to the well-thought-out handholds and reduced weight, ability to affix cameras, lights and insignia and robust composition that allows for edge and stacked rifle rounds, the GC Patrol Shield is a feature-packed bulwark that is sure to be appreciated – and utilized – by officers fortunate enough to have one at the ready.
GC offers a 10-year warranty against defects.
Interested in learning more? Request information from Graphene Composites today.
