Actually, this term ‘riot-gear’ didn’t really get started until the late 1960s in LA. All it is though....is just pads like some NFL team would use. The helmets have gone up a notch every ten years and probably more protective.
It’s like the word assault-rifle. What does that really mean? The model 1873 Winchester could be classified as an assault rifle. Or go and suggest to some idiot journalist that there is a problem with assault-shotguns.
Yes, he isn’t saying they won’t be armored. Just that it isn’t “riot gear”.
CPD will also not be breaking skulls with “night-sticks” or “billy-clubs”