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Cleveland police chief: ‘No such thing’ as riot gear for officers during RNC

By Jane Morice, cleveland.com , July 18, 2016

Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams said Monday that the padded gear worn by bicycle officers, seen here, is not "riot gear," and that there is "no such thing" as riot gear. (Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams dispelled rumors that officers seen on bicycles Sunday at an anti-Trump protest were in what some called "riot gear."

The chief said during a Monday morning press update that the officers were in padded Motocross bike-style gear. They had been using the gear on a different detail and were called in to help out with the protest.

Williams added that Cleveland police don't use the term riot gear. They wear a form of protective gear when needed for crowd control but it is different from what the officers had on Sunday.

"Just to be clear, there is no such thing as riot gear. The city of Cleveland does not have riot gear," Williams said.

The padded gear worn by bicycle officers was purchased in preparation for the Republican National Convention. The city sought to buy 310 sets of long-sleeve jackets, gloves and shin guards.

The city also bought gear to use for crowd control.

Williams said the "personal protective equipment" is meant to be a defensive tool, not an offensive tool against demonstrators.

In March, the city of Cleveland sought to buy 2,000 sets of riot-control suits and batons with part of the $50 million federal security grant used to prepare for the RNC.

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