‘Robocop’ police suits

Police in Rio de Janeiro will wear will wear protective equipment similar to the film Robocop to conduct security for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. 200 sets of the 22-lb armor have been sent to the Major Events Police Battalion (BPGE), a branch of the military police formed in January in response to demonstrations during the 2013 Confederations Cup. The suits are flame resistant to up to 427C and include a helmet and vest that protects the back, chest and shoulders, and space for a pistol, stun gun, handcuffs, baton and gun loader. Unit commander Wagner Villares:

The plastic uniform is resistant to knocks and blows. Underneath the plastic that covers the back and the chest, there is another protective layer that absorbs and spreads the force of a blow

Rio state secretary for security Jose Mariano Beltrame:

[There is a] need to give the military police specialised, 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.