– Spot The Difference: Brazil’s World Cup Security Edition (ZeroHedge, may 17, 2014):
There are a few images that scream to mind when one thinks about Brazil – dazzling soccer footskills, illustrious dancing, and of course dark-skinned, scantily-clad females… but as The World Cup draws near for the soccer-savvy nation, there will be another image that will likely dominate the headlines…
Left: Gratuitous “Brazil” soccer-playing bikini-wearing woman
Middle: World Cup secuirty “Protective Equipment” that will be worn by Brazil’s Major Events Police Battalion
Right: Robocop
As The National Interest reports,
Members of a special unit set up for the tournament and the 2016 Olympics in Rio have been given 200 sets of the 22lb “RoboCop” protective equipment, which is flame resistant to up to 427C.
It includes a helmet and vest that protects the back, chest and shoulders, plastic shin pads, a pepper spray mask and a belt for a.40 calibre pistol, stun gun, handcuffs and baton.
The Major Events Police Battalion, a branch of the military police, was formed in January this year in response to widespread public demonstrations during last year’s Confederations Cup.
That tournament was marred by ugly clashes between police and demonstrators as thousands protested against public spending on the World Cup. Rio de Janeiro will host seven games during the competition, including the final on July 13.
Jose Mariano Beltrame, the state secretary for security, cited “the need to give the military police specialized, efficient and intelligent instruments for patrolling, aimed at the preservation of public order in public places where there is the presence of a crowd of people gathered together”.
Lt. Col. Wagner Villares, the commander of the unit, which has 600 officers, said the equipment would protect officers from missiles such as a firecracker that killed Santiago Andrade, a photographer, earlier this year.
“The plastic uniform is resistant to knocks and blows,” he told news website Ultimo Segundo.
Welcome To Rio – have a nice visit…