The Police department is often deployed to control riots and mobs. For protection, officers performing riot control often wear protective helmets and carry riot shields. These are designed to protect the wearer from the dangers that come from direct melee and hurled objects such as stones, bottles, and bricks. If tear gas or other riot control agents are to be used, gas masks are worn by Police. While dealing with offenders using firearms, bulletproof jackets and helmets are worn.