Ballistic Shield Tactics: Training With A Ballistic Shield

Mar 15, 2022 9:00:00 AM / by Michael Witt

Ballistic Shield

The ballistic shield is an important tool for modern tactical teams as they help protect expose areas from bullets and dangerous projectiles. It is safe to assume that ballistic shields will most likely always remain a vital factor of protection during intense situations and should be frequently utilized in training. All tactical officers must train with ballistic shields to become well versed in proper technique and have the ability to efficiently execute tactical maneuvers before deploying a shield. This article walks you through vital training tactics and various ballistic shield uses that are commonly utilized by many tactical teams.

Shield Operators

Ballistic shields are used in offensive, defensive, and patrol situations. Circumstances that may require a ballistic shield include but are not limited to raids, high-risk search warrants, and active shooter situations. SWAT, special operations, and emergency response teams use both hand-held and mobile shields to help neutralize safety threats in the quickest way possible. You may also witness niche users such as airport police, border patrol, marine patrol, corrections officers, school resource officers, gang units, tactical narcotics teams, court security, and security checkpoints that may require training that educates on where, when, and how to use ballistic shields for protection. 

Common Tactics

Some common tactics that many officers may implement ballistic shields for include the following:

  • Takedown – Initiate the arrest away from home such as during a traffic stop.
  • Ruse – Get a suspect to leave the home and then initiate arrest.
  • Surround and call out - Set a perimeter and call out the suspect from the objective and then initiate the arrest.
  • Breach and hold – Similar to surround and call out but also includes a breach of an entry point.
  • Dynamic entry - Knock and announce, breach, and then clear the objective quickly.
  • Deliberate entry – Similar to dynamic entry but at a slower, methodical pace.

Takedown and ruse are the least likely of these to require a ballistic shield but if the situation turns violent, officers may need to take cover. During dynamic and deliberate entries, shields give you a better chance to respond swiftly through unforeseeable circumstances which as a result, enhances protection above and beyond standard personal worn body armor.

Dynamic Entries

The dynamic entry is the standard option for many tactical teams. The most important factors of a dynamic entry include dominance, swiftness, and the element of surprise. Swiftness is important because suspects won’t have as much time to think, react, take up arms, or destroy evidence. Another primary objective is to neutralize the biggest threat. A disadvantage of this tactic is that the officers also have less time to assess the situation as well, opening the door to mistakes and possible over exposure. It is best to practice this procedure with a ballistic shield that offers you a decent combination of protection and speed.

Deliberate Entries

The deliberate entry is conducted in a similar fashion as a dynamic entry but at a much slower pace. From a team leader’s perspective, this tactic can be much easier to manage as more time is allowed to analyze, make clear decisions, and give verbal commands. Although speed makes a difference, there is no right or wrong speed to go by and training is required to determine what speed works best for your team. This is another area where ballistic shields can be utilized heavily in training. The protection level of the shield is a bigger factor of success rather than speed.

Contact Kontek Industries

If you need to replace or acquire ballistic shields for your agency, contact Kontek Industries to discuss what you need. We can provide different levels of protection paired to ballistic shields through our partners at Armor Express, B4DI and BlueRidge Armor.

Armor Express is one of the largest global suppliers of protective armor solutions. From the U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Defense to Federal and Domestic Law Enforcement officers, Corrections personnel, Fire & EMS professionals, and Private Security, they provide the highest-performing, mission-ready protective gear for the most important customers in the world.

BlueRidge Armor is founded on decades of experience in design engineering, development and manufacturing of world class bullet resistant armor, ballistic shields and protective equipment for law enforcement, elite tactical forces and private security sector.

B4DI is a Special Operations Forces/Federal Law Enforcement veteran-owned and led small business. They focus their time and resources on targeted projects where they strongly believe there is an opportunity to visualize or influence concepts in an innovative way that has never been done.

Contact the office at Kontek Industries today to discuss your needs.

Topics: Ballistic Shield

Michael Witt

Published by Michael Witt

Michael Witt is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Kontek Industries. Michael is responsible for coordinating and executing sales strategies and marketing campaigns for the company. Prior to joining Kontek Industries, Michael was the Vice President of Sales of a U.S.-based physical security and surveillance company, where he managed a sales team supporting global security companies, the US Department of Defense, the US Department of Energy, law enforcement agencies, and various defense groups across the world. Michael Witt served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 – 2010 and conducted combat operations in Afghanistan on multiple deployments. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Gardner Webb University.