# Why the prevalence of ski masks in armed police **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549 "2021-08-12T22:32:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/41 "2021-08-16T22:28:01Z")
To be honest, I thought it was because Oliver Cromwell wore a ski mask in the house of commons in the 18th century, and it’s been common place ever since. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/42 "2021-08-16T23:17:59Z")
Since Ollie died in 1658, it must have been his ghost. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/43 "2021-08-17T10:18:56Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > The main purpose of a tactical face covering is to reduce visibility of shiny or lighter skin, and also to protect skin from things like abrasions and hot shell casings. Indeed; there’s also the “So the criminal’s mates and family don’t come after them seeking revenge” factor too. Bear in mind, in the UK if the armed response team has come out to play, it’s something very serious and there are likely some not very nice people involved; the UK police don’t have this US situation of the equivalent of the Sandford Constabulary having a Saladin armoured car in the garage because “why the fuck not, right?” ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/44 "2021-08-17T10:30:25Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > The real question is why aren’t they wearing their eye-pro? I take this as further evidence that this isn’t really about a protective posture (at least in this case), more about looking tacti-cool and concealing one’s identity. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/45 "2021-08-17T10:35:12Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I take this as further evidence that this isn’t really about a protective posture (at least in this case), more about looking tacti-cool and concealing one’s identity. The eye protection goggles may be attached to the helmets they are carrying; they’re more likely to be using MilSpec helmets/goggles in that configuration than target shooter eyewear. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/46 "2021-08-17T11:40:39Z")
Those guys are responding to something so rare in this country that they will almost certainly have never come across before. Yes, they probably will have responded to gang violence in the city, but Plymouth and Exeter are not notorious in this respect. Mostly they will have dealt with knife fights between rival drug gangs. This means that they will have followed their own procedures when they got a call to unspecified gunshots and probable casualties in a suburban street. It could have been anything from a lone gunman to a gang shootout to a terrorist incident, so they wear or carry all the kit they need to deal with whichever situation they find themselves in. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/47 "2021-08-17T20:03:25Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I take this as further evidence that this isn’t really about a protective posture (at least in this case), more about looking tacti-cool and concealing one’s identity. It’s just a mix of things. The same purpose for wearing the masks is the same reason they wear long sleeves and gloves. However, one guy in the photo is not currently wearing his gloves and his sleeves are pushed up for comfort. Plus, neither is currently wearing their eye pro which I’m almost certain is part of their total uniform prescribed by the department. But, obvious from the picture, probably none of them are actually wearing the mask because of its intended purpose, which is protection. If that were the case, they’d have their sleeves down and gloves on. It is likely their motivation for wearing the mask in that photo is due in larger part to the second-order effects and benefits of the mask mentioned upthread such as identity concealment, looking cool, intimidation, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/48 "2021-08-17T22:56:31Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > identity concealment, looking cool, intimidation, etc. Although in my gut, I hate the idea of police intimidation, In my head, I like it a lot, because I’ve seen that police intimidation is the alternative to police violence. All too often, police violence (including shootings) is what happens when the police don’t have the skills to handle the situation by intimidation instead. (or to handle the situation by de-escalating, but I’ve seen that lack of skill more in security guards) ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/49 "2021-08-18T01:34:58Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > If that were the case, they’d have their sleeves down and gloves on. It is likely their motivation for wearing the mask in that photo is due in larger part to the second-order effects and benefits of the mask mentioned upthread such as identity concealment, looking cool, intimidation, etc. Or it’s more likely the threat has been dealt with and they’ve taken the kit off/rolled sleeves up for comfort purposes. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/50 "2021-08-18T13:03:07Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Or it’s more likely the threat has been dealt with and they’ve taken the kit off/rolled sleeves up for comfort purposes. But are well aware of the reporters. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/51 "2021-08-18T22:11:56Z")
That’s my point. The mask is not comfortable, but they’re still wearing it despite the fact that there is no need for it’s protection. They’re wearing it for secondary benefits such as identity concealment. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/52 "2021-08-18T23:15:06Z")
Sure, and as has been said, there’s a valid reason for that that’s not to intimidate people - it’s to stop baddies (even ones who aren’t involved in the event) going “Aha, now we know who these people are, let’s go after them or their families”. Also, balaclavas, especially modern ones made of breathable material, aren’t particularly uncomfortable, and are certainly less noticeable than a milspec helmet and goggles etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549/53 "2021-08-20T20:39:04Z")
> [@](#): > > and as has been said, there’s a valid reason for that that’s not to intimidate people - it’s to stop baddies (even ones who aren’t involved in the event) going “Aha, now we know who these people are, let’s go after them or their families”. Is there some part of my post that you think implies identity concealment is not a “valid reason”? > [@](#): > > Also, balaclavas, especially modern ones made of breathable material, aren’t particularly uncomfortable, and are certainly less noticeable than a milspec helmet and goggles etc. The mask is hot. I don’t care how breathable you think it is. The same reason his sleeves are rolled up is the same reason he’d have his mask off if there was no benefit. The benefit in this case is identity concealment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549.md?page=2)