Why do SWAT officers wear ski masks?

Answer 1

Because they look cool with them on. And just in case they have to ski after a criminal.

Answer 2

Tactical Ski Mask

Answer 3

The masks do conceal the officers identity and makes them look intimidating, but perhaps the most important reason a tactical officer will wear a nomex hood when in full kit is that it's flame retardant and will protect his face and neck from the effects of "flash bang" "stun-grenades", "noise-flash distraction devices", (whatever the locals call them) that are often deployed to disorient suspects when making dynamic tactical entry such as during a raid.

Answer 4

Generally, if you look like you mean business and can kick some serious a$$, no one will mess with you. It is an image SWAT maintains for that reason. They want the "bad guy" to think: they look mean, they look like they are really good about dealing with problem makers so I won't give them a problem.
Plus, their roll is more aggressive than a uniformed officer's, so there is more of a chance of retaliation and they don't want their families or friends harmed.

Answer 5

- A face is brilliant and the black balaclava hides it. imagine about the protection stress who paint their face a camouflage to cover the exterior tones. - The balaclava also protects the exterior from exposures to tear gasoline (if deployed) to the elements. - The balaclava keeps the pinnacle cushioned and bigger tender even as they positioned on a tactical helmet. - The balaclava also keeps outdoors sound away and the swat member can listen the radio ear piece a lot more advantageous effective. - some swat contributors might want to pick no longer to positioned on it for motives as above the position they experience isn't required. i comprehend the above as i turned right into a swat member. those who reported "lower than-conceal" watch too many hollywood video clips. a real undercover cop does no longer positioned is id publicity in chance through suiting up the position media usually are and then positioned up a image everywhere in the paper. a number of those undercover operations fee thousands and thousands of greenbacks and if between the undercover operators became dumb adequate to positioned his lower than conceal id in chance might want to no longer be an officer.

Answer 6

Most SWAT officers are also patrol officers and if they are recognized, the bad boys they go after will come after them.

And, many of those bad boys are real bad boys, they're aren't the kind you see on tv shows or posting threats on the Internet.

And, as was mentioned above, some are also undercover officers that don't want their faces seen by the public.

Answer 7

as bryan mentioned, they are used for pursing suspects on snow. Skiing is the prefered method of transportation, hence the mask.

notice many swat members are never running, if so they'd be sporting a head band, nike running shoes and a sweat guard.

Answer 8

Anyone who conducts quick hit and run such as "SWATS" has to wear masks so they don't recognized by the people when they are off duty. Same as terrorists wear masks to hide their identity when doing operations.

Answer 9

The real answer is that most SWAT Officers are also used in undercover police operations such a drug stings and such. They don't want to have thier face on TV to where they would be recongnized.

Answer 10

The masks are usually of a light-weight, flame resistant material. They are worn to protect the identity of the officer, intimidate the suspect(s), and also to offer some degree of protection from flash fire and flying glass/debris.