Photo provided Columbus Police Department School Resource Officer supervisor Julie Quesenbery shows a ballistic shield officers will be issued.
The Columbus Police Department recently purchased 16 ballistic shields that are being issued to officers across the department’s three patrol shifts as well as to school resource officers.
The shields are designed to be utilized by officers who are responding to emergency calls where additional ballistic protection is needed such as an active shooter or armed robbery, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
They can also be utilized for cover while rendering aid and evacuating wounded and injured persons, Harris said.
The newly acquired ballistic shields feature a viewport and are lighter and more maneuverable than previous generation shields. Every Columbus police officer will receive training on the proper use of the shields in the event they would need to be deployed, Harris said.
“The safety of our community as well as our officers is a top priority,” said Columbus Police Chief Michael Richardson. “In critical situations, our officers are expected to face unknown dangers head on and without hesitation. These ballistic shields will provide additional protection for our first responders to quickly respond to high-risk incidents. I would like to thank our Columbus City Council as well as the Mayor’s Office for ensuring that our law enforcement officers have the necessary tools to keep Columbus safe.”
