Police officers are no longer allowed to wear balaclava masks – masks which cover the entire head except for the eyes when confronting members of the public at roadblocks and during searches.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Wendell Williams made the announcement at a news conference on Thursday.
The measure is in part meant to ensure that people carrying out police operations can be clearly identified as genuine police officers.
He noted that in any case, balaclava masks do not afford much protection against the COVID-19 virus as opposed to other proper face masks.
He said at least one officer in the search party will be in grey and blue, this he maintained would be an added layer of identification.
Williams said investigations into the use of police outfits by criminals have not yet determined that actual police uniforms were used.
Police are seeking to determine if those worn by the criminals were close or exact replicas.
COMMENTS