Given the amount of political and social unrest that many cities face, it's always important for every police force to be able to equip its officers to deal with conflicts. Training is important, but the physical gear that a department's officers wear can often be the difference between keeping an officer safe and him or her suffering a major injury.

There is no part of the body that is more important to protect than the head, and this means that every police department should invest in the right helmets for its riot officers to wear for protection. If you're in charge of ordering this gear, here are some features that should be present.

Neck Protection

Too many helmets offer good protection for the face and head but fail to adequately cover the neck. While too much armor at the base of the helmet can inhibit an officer's ability to move freely, there's a happy medium between too much protection and not enough. As you browse the different police helmets that are available, look for those that come down well below the base of the skull. Protection in this area can protect your officers from being assaulted by rioters wielding bats and other hitting devices.

Lower-Face Protection

Riot police helmets almost always have face shields made of clear and durable plastic. These shields protect officers' faces not only from violent contact but also from any solid objects or even liquids that rioters may throw. Some helmets make the mistake, however, of having their facial protection not come down far enough.

It's common for this shield to stop around the officer's mouth. You must ensure that the shield extends downward enough to protect the jaw and throat, which are two vulnerable areas that could get injured during a violent conflict.

Adjustable Foam Liner

While every riot helmet has a hard outer shell, it should also have a soft inner liner to provide cushioning in the event that one of your officers gets struck in the head. Most importantly, the lining should be adjustable. Many helmets come with a number of pieces of foam of different widths that will allow each officer to adjust the fit of his or her helmet.

The helmet needs to sit snugly on each officer's head, and the ability to customize the inside with the right amount of foam can make this happen. Ensuring that the police helmets you buy have each of these elements, you're increasing the likelihood that every officer will get home safely.

For more information, contact your local police tactical helmets supplier.