Subject
Helmets, Chicago Police officer's riot helmet, circa 1965. Plastic. Made by International Latex Corporation, Dover, Delaware. Gift of Mr. Keith W. Ziegler. 2004.73.2
Description
Helmet made of hard plastic with black chin strap and clear plastic face guard. Helmet is light blue with black stripe where face guard attaches. Front has "7250" in white and a white five pointed star with "Chicago Police" written in gold around a circular seal.
The five-pointed star on the front of this helmet is the Chicago Police "star" or badge, comprised of the seal of the city surrounded by the words Chicago Police and five points. The image of the city seal reproduced on above the plastic visor includes a ship, an Indian with bow and arrow, and an infant in a shell all drawn in gold on white background.
This riot helmet was worn by a police officer on duty during the Democratic National Convention, August 25-30, 1968. The Chicago Police Department had a history of violence against protestors and rioters from 19th-century workers' movements to the race riots in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, after a brief reform period, a resurgence of riots on the West Side prompted Mayor Richard J. Daley to order an offensive police strategy during the 1968 Democratic Convention. Knowing large protests had been planned and fearing national embarrassment, the mayor mobilized 12,000 police officers along with the National Guard, FBI and Secret Service to keep the city under control. The inevitable violent clashes were nationally televised to general condemnation, but Mayor Daley and many Chicagoans staunchly supported the police's actions.