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POLICE EQUIPMENT NEWS FLEET MANAGEMENT SENIOR MANAGEMENT ADVERTISER INDEX PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Intruder��� G2��� Type IIIA Tactical Shield By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis Much better visibility! Safariland�� recently introduced its newest ballistic shield, the PROTECH�� Intruder��� G2���. This 100 percent polyethylene Type IIIA shield provides increased vertical and peripheral visibility for the shield operator with its new and innovative, triangular viewport. PROTECH has been a leader and innovator in the ballistic shield industry for over 30 years, so much so that the traditional rectangular ballistic shield is often referred to as a Bunker shield. The name, Body Bunker��, was initially coined in the 1980s by PROTECH, and as a result of its popularity, many police offcers training with shields use the term ���Bunker Shield��� to refer to all rectangular ballistic shields with viewports and carry handles. One of the chief complaints shield operators often express regarding ballistic shields is limited vision through the viewport. The folks at Safariland, a premier provider of law enforcement and security products and services, listened and answered with what they consider a ground-breaking solution. The Intruder G2 features an enlarged, 6.7-inch by 15.5-inch (at its widest points) triangular viewport, which increases overall up, down, and peripheral visibility when compared to the standard viewport. This triangular viewport shape also features PROTECH���s multi-layered viewport design, which contains overlapping acrylic and polycarbonate laminate ballistics in the front and back that reinforce the seams and provide excellent protection against handgun threats. A ballistic shield���s job is to stop handgun rounds. This shield and viewport were independently tested at an NIJ-accredited lab against the NIJ 0108.01 Type IIIA rounds (National Institute of Justice���s standard for ballistic resistant materials). These include some of the most powerful handgun loads like 9mm 124-grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) and 44 Magnum 240grain Lead Semi Wadcutter. Additional special threat testing above and beyond the NIJ standard was also conducted to provide further validation of the shield���s performance. These rounds include Tokarev 7.62x25mm 85-grain FMJ (steel jacket); 5.7x28mm 40-grain (SS197) Blue Tip; Winchester Ranger 9mm 127-grain +P+ SXT; and 357 SIG 125grain FMJ. Another key beneft of the Intruder G2 when compared to other ballistic shield models on the market is that many other manufacturers will drill holes into the body of the shield to run wiring for 80 LAW and ORDER I February 2013 www.safariland.com The Intruder G2 features an enlarged, 6.75inch x 15.5-inch, triangular viewport. lighting systems. These holes can affect ballistic integrity and create vulnerabilities in the body of the shield. The Intruder G2 lighting system is integrated into the molded ABS outer skin and the wiring is mounted internally without having to cut through the shield. The Intruder G2 measures 20 inches by 34 inches in size, weighs 21 pounds, and offers approximately 660 square inches (total area) of ballistic coverage. The features include a standoff platform with padded forearm rest on the body side of the shield to provide 2 inches of additional ballistic impact standoff protection against backface deformation, and a horizontal, ambidextrous handle, which allows the shield operator���s arm to be kept vertical in a strong-arm position utilizing skeletal support. Other features include a high-intensity, strobe-capable LED dual lighting system that gives the operator the ability to illuminate darkened areas and disorient suspects without the use of a separate light; two non-skid, rubber weapon rake bars; and a quick release strap for additional support when carrying the shield. Jim Weiss is a retired lieutenant from the Brook Park, Ohio, Police Department and a frequent contributor to LAW and ORDER. Mickey Davis is a California-based writer and author. LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting www.lawandordermag.com