Mumbai police personnel will soon sport high-end bulletproof helmets, if the Maharashtra police’s plan materialises. The authority intends to procure around 1,500 helmets, which after arrival, will be distributed among various police units in Mumbai and rest of the state.
Known as “ballistic helmet”, the helmets also have provisions for mounting other headgear like night vision goggles, advanced headphones and mouthpieces for communication and miniature cameras for recording operations.
According to police sources, ballistic helmets are being procured for the first time. “We hope to complete the purchase as soon as possible after finalising the company. A tender has already been floated for the same,” said a senior IPS officer, requesting anonymity.
Dr Pradnya Saravade, inspector general of police (provisions), confirmed the development. “Procur-ement of other bulletproof equipment are also underway as part of the police modernisation initiative,” Dr Saravade said.
According to Sanjeev Dayal, director general of police (DGP), Maharashtra, the helmets will be distributed among the various “operational units” in the state and the city.
“I, however, cannot reveal details of the operational units and their nature of work for security reasons,” Mr Dayal said.
Apart from the helmets, the Maharashtra police is also procuring bulletproof jackets. The police has already received around 2,000 bulletproof jackets from the Centre; it is, however, independently procuring 2,000 more.
When contacted, a retired ballistics and forensic expert said that no helmet or jacket can guarantee complete protection against bullets.
“Such protective apparel offer minimal protection and only mitigate the effects of a projectile,” the expert said.