Former paramedic chief donates ballistic shields to Mass. PD

By Joanna Putman
EMS1

HANOVER, Mass. — A former paramedic chief made a significant contribution to the Hanover Police Department by donating six RTS Tactical Shields to his local police department, according to an RTS news release.

The Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shields are designed to protect officers from special-threat arms commonly encountered, such as .223/5.56, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 caliber rifles, according to RTS Tactical’s website.

“The Hanover Police Department received six RTS Tactical Mini Shields thanks to the generous donation by Hanover resident David Ladd. These shields will be deployed in all frontline cruisers once officers receive training,” the department announced via social media.

Ladd, a former chief paramedic in Boston, selected the RTS Tactical Mini Shield after thorough online research, according to the release. His selection criteria were based on ensuring the shields had the appropriate ballistic rating while being compact and lightweight to encourage regular use by officers. His aspiration is for these shields to become standard issue within Massachusetts, available in every police cruiser.

“Rifle rated and weighing only 11 pounds, the RTS Tactical Mini Shield is an absolute no-brainer!” Lieutenant David Zemotel stated.

Zemotel added that this donation has catalyzed efforts to equip all patrol vehicles with such shields and to start training officers on their use, according to the release

RTS offers a military discount that includes all first responders. For more information, click here.