Page 54 - December 2020

CPMF provides new level of protection with ‘Helmets for Heroes’
n BY DAN CAMPANA
A new campaign by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (CPMF) aims to provide immediate protection to officers on the front line when unrest arises in the city.
In November, CPMF unveiled the Hel- mets for Heroes program that has al- ready supplied 1,650 officers with new bulletproof helmets made of Kevlar pro- tective padding and face shields which can deflect laser beams. CPMF Executive Director Phil Cline said the organization immediately purchased the helmets af- ter being approached by Superintendent David Brown.
“These upgraded helmets further pro- tect our officers from injury while pro- tecting our city,” Cline said at a press conference. “This new level of protection provides officers another level of security while out on the streets.”
The powder-blue helmets, bearing a gold CPD star on the front, feature an ad- justable face shield and a guard that cov- ers the officer’s neckline. A small CPMF logo on the rear of the helmet symbolizes
how the organization has officers’ backs. Cline noted that the high-tech face shield is important because of instances across the country of officers being in-
jured by lasers pointed at their eyes. Officers across the city started receiv- ing the helmets in mid-November, offi- cials said. Cline encouraged anyone look- ing for ways to support Chicago Police to consider making a donation at cpdme-
morial.org/mission/helmets-for-heroes.
Cline likened the new initiative to keep officers safe to the Get Behind the Vest Campaign, which, since 2014, has provided 11,250 bulletproof vests to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department.
“Over the years, we have learned there is always more we can do to keep Chi- cago’s working police safe,” Cline ex- plained.
54 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2020