Editor’s note: This article was first published in April 2012; it refers to Euro 2012, the then-upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, and the protests of Spain’s 15-M (Indignados) movement.
You have to admit the baton has become outdated: protesters later upload to social networks those videos showing one or more police officers beating a young man or woman, and it certainly makes a bad impression. Firing rubber bullets isn’t well regarded either, since that system has already caused serious problems.
Europe is getting ready for the European Championship, and Canada and Brazil are preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 World Cup, not to mention that protests over the economic crisis and cuts all over Europe will keep sparking demonstrations. Governments will try to “criminalize” the “mass gatherings” called through social networks, but that isn’t expected to scare protesters away, so riot police will modernize. Here are the new deterrent toys.
1. Taser X12 projectiles
This weapon is widely used by police in several parts of the world. It’s an electroshock weapon that can immobilize a person from about 30 meters away. Once it hits the protester, the projectile discharges 500 volts for 30 seconds. It has already caused a great deal of controversy for causing several deaths, since the electric shock can trigger a heart attack.
2. Taser X26 projectiles
The same system as the previous one, but with a design capable of immobilizing people en masse, since it can fire 3 or 6 shots simultaneously. It would be used to paralyze an entire group of protesters.
3. SMU100 rifle
This rifle fires light, but with such force and intensity that it could blind a person 500 meters away. It causes temporary blindness, although it could of course damage someone’s eyesight permanently. It’s among the favorites of some governments.
4. Active Denial System
This weapon literally burns you from the inside: it emits high-frequency radiation that heats the water and fat molecules in the body. In other words, it’s like being put inside a microwave oven. This “pain weapon” hasn’t yet been approved for use by riot police, although it has been for some prisons. Time will tell.
5. Facial recognition micro-cameras
Brazil and Canada have already equipped their police with these glasses with a built-in camera. These cameras are said to be able to recognize a person’s face even when it’s covered.
Source: XLSemanal
Featured image: U.S. Air Force photo, Official United States Air Force Website, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
