Police warm up with a ballistic shield before deploying their firearms in drill involving officers of the Nyssa Police Department.(The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
NYSSA – It was scorching hot, but officers from the Nyssa Police Department were suited up and engaging in movement drills with bullet-stopping ballistic shields at their range on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The officers practiced deploying their firearms while using the 14-pound shields as a defense mechanism capable of withstanding a round from a 7.62x39mm caliber rifle.
Nyssa Police Chief Raymond Rau said that the shields serve as a force multiplier given that they protect officers as they engage an armed suspect.
The department currently has two ballistic shields, but Rau said he has placed an order for five more. Once the new shields come in, the department will have one shield for each of the force’s seven full-time officers.
Officer Ricky Branin takes aim at a target as Reserve Corporal Scott McGinnis looks on.(The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Police engage in a movement drill with ballistic shields.(The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Reserve officer Colin Peterson engages in a movement drill. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
An officer fires his weapon at a target. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Police fire their weapons at a target. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Officer Ricky Branin engages in a movement drill. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Officer Greg Bunker and Reserve Corporal Scott McGinnis engage in a movement drill. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Police warm up with ballistic shields before deploying their firearms.(The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
An officer firing his weapon at a target. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Officer Noah Webster standing next to his colleague as he warms up with a ballistic shield. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
Reserve Corporal Scott McGinnis warm up with a ballistic shield.(The Enterprise/Joe Siess)