New London Police Request Riot Gear Amid Nationwide Protests

The acting police chief in New London wants to buy riot gear.

The Day of New London reports that Acting Police Chief Peter Reichard asked the City Council for permission to use $28,000 to purchase personal protective equipment. He says he's preparing for a worst-case scenario and the department doesn't have enough helmets, plastic shields or gas masks.

The department has also asked to spend about $8,500 to replace 15 ballistic protective vests. The council's public safety committee is considering the requests.

Reichard says he started preparing for the possibility of a large protest weeks before a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri decided not to charge a white police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager.

The decision sparked protests, but not in New London.