Alarming armour
Posted by jodietonita on July 29, 2007

Photo: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Peruvian anti-riot police officers participate in a military parade to celebrate Peru’s Independence Day in Lima on Sunday.
Posted by jodietonita on July 29, 2007

Photo: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Peruvian anti-riot police officers participate in a military parade to celebrate Peru’s Independence Day in Lima on Sunday.
August 3, 2007 at 1:24 pm
I saw the Peruvian riot police up close and personal years ago when I was in Lima. I was wandering around the shopping district when I heard gunshots. Someone grabbed my arm, and I thought I was being mugged. Turns out they were trying to save me from the riot police, who were coming up the street, using pepper spray and shooting rubber bullets at people. Shining Path was apparently on the move. Whoever that person was that grabbed me, I am eternally grateful (and ashamed by my initial reaction).
As it turned out, the people in Peru were some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever encountered, and I’d give anything to go back. Ironic how the people who have the least give the most.
November 7, 2007 at 6:45 pm
where can i get some armour like that??
November 25, 2007 at 1:59 pm
heh heh… looks like the face of fascism has taken a more “he-man” approach this time.
I guess kevlar beats the posing pouches of the Nazis.
December 7, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Wow… batmans.
December 8, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I’ve a couple of friends who’ve served as riotpolice officers in S Korea… it’s kinda similar there, but as I recall they at least didn’t have the “let’s-put-on-suits-that-will-make-people-giggle-themselves-into-oblivion-and-not-make-resistance-which-anyhow-is-futile-because-my-nightstick-is-longer-than-theirs”.
These guys looks like some hollywood movie.
I mean, c’mon folks. Get professional.
December 11, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Wow. Stoormtroopers!
December 13, 2007 at 6:43 pm
all hail the new world order… hahah
January 17, 2008 at 4:33 pm
are those suits just for show or are they really bullet proof and stuff?!
February 2, 2008 at 8:04 pm
The suits are not bullet proof for the most part they are just padding with thick plastic to protect you from rocks and bottles thrown at you. Riot police normally just try to hold back a crowd or cause them to move away from one place. There are armed officers also and if someone shoots at the riot police then the armed officers can return fire. The south Korean are the toughest that I have seen.
February 4, 2008 at 6:17 am
[...] via [...]
February 4, 2008 at 9:38 am
Just thought I correct the independence day date. Peruvian independece day is JULY 28 NOT yesterday!!! Gracias…
February 4, 2008 at 10:29 am
@Armando
Read the post date: July 29, 2007.
February 4, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for that was more interesting than 3 storm troopers pretending to be riot police.
February 4, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Why do they need ab definition on their armor?
February 4, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Why do they need ab definition on their armor?
’cause it makes them look cool. Duh!
February 4, 2008 at 3:58 pm
inpired by the Tutte Bianche
burn pigs burn!
February 4, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Peruvians are pretty peaceful people, why would their police need such riot gear? Seems kind of overkill doesn’t it? And the abs don’t add much to the toughness look either
February 4, 2008 at 4:46 pm
[...] Peruvian Police have some very menacing looking riot gear. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with how they appear to be marching [...]
February 4, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Uh huh. And when does Darth Vader show up?
February 4, 2008 at 5:21 pm
[...] got some crazy gear for its riot police [...]
February 4, 2008 at 6:11 pm
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February 4, 2008 at 8:15 pm
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February 4, 2008 at 9:50 pm
now i know what i want to be when i grow up.
February 4, 2008 at 10:40 pm
remember guys, unless it’s a head shot it’s a waste of ammunition.
February 4, 2008 at 11:28 pm
i bet at least some guys hummed the imperial march theme when they saw this
February 5, 2008 at 1:18 am
@Ed: I did!
February 5, 2008 at 2:01 am
This pic looks fake to me. They seriously look like toy soldiers.
I googled Peruvian anti-riot police in several variations and came up with no other images of the “new riot armor” other than pictures that were basically the same angle and set-up as this one. Only blogs have this image on their sites - no real news organizations, no press releases of any kind. Even the lighting, the shadows, and the “street” they’re standing on don’t look like.
I call bullshit.
February 5, 2008 at 2:57 am
The picture is published on reuters website…
http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20070729&t=2&i=1211025&w=450&r=1211025
February 5, 2008 at 3:01 am
@Vaughan M.
It’s real. Google the photographer’s name and you’ll find lots and lots of Reuters photos taken in Peru. Also, this picture (and another of the same procession) is on the Reuters site, I found it in their image search using “peru riot” as my search terms.
February 5, 2008 at 5:35 am
The armour has ab definition because they need to be able to move - specifically, bend over. A solid plate of armour over the stomach would restrict movement, whereas the segmented armour is flexible.
You idiots need to learn some basic common sense, I think.
February 5, 2008 at 6:08 am
At first i though somone lined up a bunch of children’s toys together.
Then I looked again and saw the faces were different.
Then I read the comments and discovered that these were in fact rea people.
The only sensible response to this is…
Cobraaaaa! Retreat!
February 5, 2008 at 6:09 am
[...] I will try to avoid rioting in. I’m still all about rioting in Canada and Sweden, however. [She Muses via [...]
February 5, 2008 at 6:21 am
What that picture doesn’t relate well is that Peruvians are all like 4′10″ tall. Think about that, then look at the picture of the “baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad police officers” again lol
February 5, 2008 at 6:49 am
The Peruvians decided to save money by buying excess costumes from the robocop movies. Also. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to mess with some army of future-esque Peruvians.
February 5, 2008 at 7:09 am
[...] Riot Police getting ready to kick ass. Don’t get in the way. - read more - Want to be Foxy too? Subscribe to our Newsfeed! These icons link to social bookmarking sites [...]
February 5, 2008 at 7:51 am
[...] Vía: She muses [...]
February 5, 2008 at 7:55 am
Reminds me of the troops from the film adaption of V For Vendetta
February 5, 2008 at 9:49 am
Where can I get me some of that armour!? =D
Must have for every nutcase!
February 5, 2008 at 9:58 am
ab definition is there obviously for intimidation!
February 5, 2008 at 10:22 am
[...] via [...]
February 5, 2008 at 11:04 am
That ab armour isn’t actually articulate. Look carefully, it’s just molded into an ab-inspired shape. So it’s definitely all about looking cool. (not that it actually works in that regard) Is anyone else bothered by the guy in front poking at his codpiece?
February 5, 2008 at 11:48 am
I want one!
February 5, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It’s pretty clear why thy have the stomach area segmented in the armor, and it’s not to provide “abs”. If you’re getting punched or kicked, the midsection is a common and obvious target. You want that target covered with armor. What you don’t want is one thick piece of armor where you’re trying to bend. It may not move much, as “Fiendish” noticed, but it probably does bend a little there.
February 5, 2008 at 1:12 pm
It’s funny, Peru’s Independance Day just happens to be my birthday. Also, the armor doesn’t look unprofessional, it looks rather functional. IT conforms to the mold of the body easier so that it gives the wearer better maneuverability. The color isn’t bad, either. If it were, say, blue or red or any other color, it would look silly, like a bad sci fi movie. As it is now, it doesn’t look that much different from American SWAT or riot police armored uniforms.
February 5, 2008 at 1:12 pm
So on Independence Day they dressed up in armor designed to scare people, and show everyone what they would face if they tried to do anything independent of the goverment?
Perfectly logical.
“Everyone cheer when the President comes by, or we turn these guys loose.”
February 5, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I guess it’s just to show-case that there police are armed and ready to take on some riots. Peru has had problems in the past with rebel groups.
February 5, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Rioter numbah 1: Oh my god the government is doing things that I dont totally agree with!… Let’s riot!
Store owner: How does this solve your problem at ALL!?! T_T
Rioter numbah 2: … It doesn’t, I just wanted a new flatscreen.
There’s alot of things to riot over, but none of it has ever been solved doing so.
Also that is probably the most clunky riot gear I’ve ever seen. so many of there “armor” problems could be solved with a translucent tower shield.
February 5, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Lol , they look funny
As for the thought behind, its totally okay that police protects themselves, they are to be a service of the people and should be properly protected.
February 5, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Looks like something from Blade Runner. Then again… A lot of technology’s taking that look these days. Weird…
February 5, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Any one else disturbed by the crotch armor?
February 5, 2008 at 5:01 pm
At first I thought they were action figures….
And not all riots are pointless. So…..nyeh.
February 5, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I, for one, welcome our new Peruvian overlords!
February 5, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Does it look to anyone else like they are doing the zombie dance from “Thriller”? Especially the guy in front.
February 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm
For all you rioters, here’s your defense:
Stop the stones and sticks.
Take out your mirrors (I know that’s expensive but you can polish tin foil and get reasonable reflection). Stay far back. Shine at their black armor.
Sweat, Sizzled ‘Soldiers’.
February 5, 2008 at 6:46 pm
By the way: Other comments here are awesome.
February 5, 2008 at 6:48 pm
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February 5, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Gobbo: Ok, let’s suit you up in some protective armour, but leave the crotch completely exposed. Now, let me get a hammer.
Cynn is right, the armour is basically an extension of the gear worn by other riot policemen in other countries, and heavier versions of the armour are worn by many combat troops as well…you just don’t see the segmented, smooth armour on SWAT or combat troops because they’re covered in combat webbing, with equipment pouches, holsters and pockets for all their gear.
February 5, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Looks like Plastic, Watch out for Molotov Cocktails
February 6, 2008 at 12:59 am
Hey you, comment number 5, get professional? THAT IS PROFESSIONAL! Try going out there without any of that on, you WILL end up dead. If not for armor resembling the ones worn by them, I’d be about 6 feet under right now. When people riot, they don’t give a damn who you are, or why your there. So next time you think about smarting off like that, go stand behind a mule and get a swift kick in your ass.
February 6, 2008 at 2:24 am
[...] Alarming armour « She muses I wish that were for a SF movie, not an actual police uniform/armor (tags: scary police armor) [...]
February 6, 2008 at 4:12 am
and yet, aside from blogs reposting the same two pics — amidst the variety of reports and images from Peru’s Independence Day celebrations there is not a single other picture of these uniforms?
Not one other person in the whole of Lima saw these except Pilar?
No one mentions these uniforms who didn’t learn of them through these two photos?
Yes the faces are different, but not a single knee bends? You can’t march without bending your knees at some point.
Judging from this video of the 2006 parade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou3zKn-5O5A&feature=related
The lane markings in Pilar’s pics seem too close together.
Without independent verification (i.e. at least one other person on the planet having seen this first hand, or even better captured it on film) one Must be skeptical.
At best it looks staged for a movie, at worst it looks like posed models.
I call bullshit until a photo of these ‘riot police’ not taken by Pilar Olivares can be presented. Reuters is not immune to being hoodwinked, and all it takes to perpetuate a fraud is to post the same image in enough places on the web to get gullible people to believe. Also, where is the Story these pics supposedly went with on Reuters? Yes you can find image links for them, but story? Without context you can’t probve it wasn’t staged.
February 6, 2008 at 10:38 am
Man, I don’t know what your problem is dude. Even if it is faked, which is unlikely, it’s still pretty cool lookin. And I’m pretty sure that was the original point of it being put on here is to say “Hey, check this out!” So chill out dude, call bullshit if you want but keep your bitching to yourself.
On a lighter note, that picture is quite badass, and to the writer of post #5, The next time there’s a riot in St. Louis, I’m gonna suggest to the SLPD that they toss you out there without any riot gear on and tell everybody you’re their new police chief. After everybody’s done kickin your ass we’ll talk about what the term professional means, K?
Peace, I’m out
February 6, 2008 at 10:42 am
Oh, and I just got done watching that video, and it looks to me like the street markings are about the same in both the video and that picture. And did you ever think that maybe most people in Peru aren’t loony enough to carry cameras around, because it marks you as a tourist and a likely candidate for a hardcore mugging/beating? You’re a fuckin dumbass, and as of this moment I make a motion that we as a blog group officially revoke your speaking privileges. All in favor, say Aye!
AYE!!!!!!!!!!
February 6, 2008 at 10:59 am
Okay, as usually happens when someone like me opens his big fucking mouth I have discovered I AM mistaken, and it is very likely that the photo was faked.
http://gizmodo.com/352266/peruvian-anti+riot-police-uniforms-look-like-judge-dredd-meets-batman
Comment #15 is by a guy named Daxx1966 and he’s Peruvian. He’s never even seen the outfits himself, and apparently the news over there didn’t cover them, so I apologize for being a fucking dumbass, David, and I hope you can forgive me for being an idiot. Tk, writer of Comment 5 though…I don’t apologize to you. You’re a fucking retard. You shouldn’t even be allowed NEAR a computer…..anyway, sorry david..
February 6, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I thought the joke was on their nut packs.
February 6, 2008 at 12:57 pm
The one in front makes me think of the full-length music video for Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalker”.
And dancing Citroens.
February 6, 2008 at 1:55 pm
AHAHAHAHHAHAH! NICE! I, for one, like the “peruvian overlords” as scottie said. only missing one thing……………. BIG RED VELVET CAPES! hahahahah. awesome.
February 6, 2008 at 5:49 pm
LOL ITSA VIDEOGAME LOOKIN PARADE! who are they supposed to be anyway? ninjas trying out bullet proof armour?
February 6, 2008 at 10:05 pm
does anyone else find this to be a genuinly powerful image, rife with social commentary, etc?
February 6, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Whoa! Look at the video from post 61 again.
Notice that none of the horses pooped!
A faked video made to shake us from the truth!
I propose that this ‘David’ fellow is himself a fake!
February 6, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I agree with Jonny C, they are pretty cool looking, even if they have the same makeup as a common Lego Brick.
But man, inst what you wrote after that scary? the NEXT time there is a riot in St.Louis…..the NEXT TIME? Holy shit dude, if i lived in a city where I knew there was going to be another riot, I would leave, and leave the country. Thats whats wrong with you Americans, you think Violence and Death is OK. Also you are accusing the whole Peruvian race of being thieves with your second post? Your last statement just sums up what America is to this world, we will choose something and force people to agree with us, or we will bomb them or cut ties……
Typical American mentality that is going to be the downfall of your country, and it has already begun…….
February 6, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Jonny C i just read your posts, looks like YOU are a dumbass. Typical redneck American, quick to judge on first hand information, but never able to look for information yourself.
Hahahah, looks like law enforcement officers are REALLY retards. Oh and by the way, being professional is not using slang and swearing as much as you do. Please keep your sub standard Pro-American white bullshit to the toilet walls of your local public toilet.
Thank you
February 7, 2008 at 1:12 am
Okay, okay, hold the goddamn phone Luke. First of all, I should point out that Jonny C is, in fact, a dumbass. But thats not the point.
You assume that Americans are okay with death and violence? That’s so wrong I don’t want to acknowledge that you said it! It should be noted that a strong majority of Americans (and all of the ones I know, including many “rednecks”
DON’T think violence is okay, and many would go to extremes campaigning against things that ARE violent in society! Also, if we really did “choose something and force people to agree with us,” I should point out that America would have blown itself into nuclear waste a long time ago. The whole idea of America is putting up with other peoples’ ideas, despite how asinine they may be.
Perhaps, you sir, need to abandon this elitist anti-American bullshit and stop pissing people off with your ass-backwards assumptions about one of the most diverse groups of people in the world.
On the uniforms, I think they would look infinitely more intimidating to a rioter in Peru (or a bystander NEAR a rioter in Peru) than to you guys sitting at home looking at a picture on your computer. But they do seem a bit restricting, and lacking in pockets.
February 7, 2008 at 1:18 am
[EDIT] Change first line to “I should point out that Johnny C is, in fact, NOT a dumbass…”
After all, he admitted a mistake. And besides, most Americans don’t walk around in New York without taking anti-mugging steps.
February 7, 2008 at 1:41 am
It looks like plastic to me. I highly doubt it will stop much in the way of bullets, and certainly not most centerfire rifle rounds. I am sure its great against blunt objects, rocks, fists, and the like. Probably melts and burns well if the rioters have molotov cocktails. Sure looks scary, which is probably most of the point.
February 7, 2008 at 7:34 am
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February 8, 2008 at 6:05 am
OMG! are they were having an audition for Starship Troopers meet Judge Dredd movie? this is hilarious!
February 8, 2008 at 7:54 am
Hey, comment #68
Ninjas don’t need bullet proof armor, because bullets have to be able to hit them in order for them to work. What I mean is, nionjas are already bullet proof by the simple fact that they CANNOT BE SEEN WHILE ON THE JOB. If they could, they wouldn’t be very good ninjas.
On the topic of the actual armor, if it is faked, I’m a little let down. I was kind of hoping it was real, and that reality was turning into a bad sci fi movie. It would certainly be more interesting than it is now.
February 8, 2008 at 8:03 am
Luke, I have to wonder about your professionalism. You are slandering all Americans with a large disregard to the general populace. You are stereotyping all Americans as stupid, violent rednecks who care about nothing more than a gun in each hand.
When you are trying to persuade someone, you should not insult them as much, and you should also make sure that your facts are right. You say that Americans don’t look for information themselves first, and yet here you are, doing the same thing. Perhaps you nee dto analyze yourself before you analyze others. AS for slang and swearing, you are doing a fair bit of it yourself.
February 8, 2008 at 8:32 pm
The next model doesn’t have a brain.
February 9, 2008 at 2:12 pm
[...] Check out the Peruvian riot cop uniform. I can’t say I saw this when I was there. Too bad. Original at Alarming armour « She muses [...]
February 12, 2008 at 12:43 am
This image is real. The armour is made of polymers that are not resistant to bullets (which a relatively rare at protests) but are viable as defence against blunt force trauma and a limited deflection of bladed weapons. The definition of the armour, especially the abs, is for greater flexibility and ease of motion… If the armour were flat, the possible range of motion would be very limited, and would make the person wearing it easier to take down…
February 24, 2008 at 2:28 am
This is just comical, not in the least bit scary. Only the Russians can do ’scary riot police’.
February 24, 2008 at 9:50 am
[...] from She muses Posted by daniel toh Filed in Protective Gear, Random, [...]
February 24, 2008 at 10:01 am
[...] Extract from She muses [...]
March 31, 2008 at 2:40 pm
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April 2, 2008 at 1:53 am
[...] La imagen corresponde a un desfile militar celebrando el Día de la Independencia de Perú, hace un par de domingos. Ir Arriba [...]
April 19, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I.want.this.armour.
Tear gas is nasty stuff! I was in paris when a canister erupted from a police car, right next to my hotel!!
So where are their gas masks???
May 18, 2008 at 6:02 am
[...] unas cuantas semanas aparecían una imagen correspondiente al nuevo uniforme que portan los miembros y cuerpos de seguridad del Estado en [...]