*There is a type of shield which is curved horizontally the 'wrong' way, i.e. *The same, but also curved in the vertical cross-section at the top and bottom. Some are tall enough for the bottom edge to be put on the ground. A common size is 20 or 24 inches by 3 feet. *Rectangular with rounded corners, curved in the horizontal cross-section to shed thrown objects. Riot shields can come in various shapes, including: Many riot shields are constructed from clear transparent high impact plastic to enable the bearer to see incoming thrown objects, so that the shield can quickly be positioned to deflect them away from the user's body. Riot shields are used in almost every country with a standardised police force and are produced by many companies.
They are generally intended to be used in Riot control, to protect the user from shrapnel, thrown projectiles, and splash from various weapons such as a Molotov cocktail. Some riot shields are designed to be bullet resistant against low velocity handgun and shotgun ammunition, but most are not. Riot shields are almost exclusively long enough to cover an average sized man from the top of the head to the knees. Most are a clear polycarbonate, though some are constructed of light metals with a view hole. Riot shields are lightweight protection devices deployed by police and some military organizations.
