Wearing work sunglasses does much more than just keep your eyes healthy. It can both protect your eyes from harmful radiation and reduce blinding glare, and even save your life. But what type of sunglasses are best for law enforcement?
Polarization
The best sunglasses for military and law enforcement – 1 Let’s start with the main issue – polarization. Conventional wisdom says that polarized lenses are better, mostly because marketers tell us so. But to really know if this is true, let’s take a look at how polarization works and how it might actually be, it might not be the best option for you either.
Light hits you from two different directions: vertical and horizontal. Non-polarized glasses provide protection from rays from both sides. However, most glare comes from light reflected horizontally, such as water, pavement, snow, or the hood of a car.
To reduce glare as much as possible, polarization is added – a built-in laminated filter on the sunglasses that blocks most of the horizontal light.
If you’ve ever been on a boat and looked into the water wearing polarized sunglasses, you could see below the surface because the horizontal light reflected off the water stops in the glasses, making what’s under the water visible.
They reduce eye strain and improve clarity in most bright light conditions. The more comfortable your eyes are, the less strain on your already busy work. And they help you see almost everything you encounter on the job. In most cases, they are a great choice.
But this does not mean that they are suitable for every situation. For example, it may be difficult for you to see your laptop in a car, especially if it has an LCD screen that transmits light mostly horizontally. Pilots face this same question with electronic flight instruments. This is why most airline pilots are not allowed to wear polarized sunglasses. Information may “disappear” from certain angles. Does this mean you shouldn’t wear polarized lenses? No, but how willing are you to keep putting on and taking off your sunglasses trying to see the screen when you’re driving electronics outdoors or trying to clearly read a license plate?
Peripheral vision
Best Sunglasses for Military and Law Enforcement – 2If the point of wearing sunglasses is to see better, the last thing you need is a pair of glasses that block your peripheral vision. This is dangerous for two reasons.
Sunglasses first, if you’re trying to assess the situation in front of you, you need to see it all from all angles so you know when and how to react. This is especially important if you are dealing with multiple suspects or threats from different directions.
Second, have you ever tried to change lanes while driving but couldn’t see your blind spot? This is an unpleasant feeling. With sunglasses that have bulky frames or hinged frames, that blind spot truly becomes a blind spot. When you look over your shoulder, all you see are the frames of your sunglasses, not the car creeping up to your left.
Quality specialized glasses eliminate this blind spot by moving the hinge back far enough to be out of sight.
They come in a variety of styles, from low-profile ski goggles to classic Tom Cruise-style aviators. When choosing a pair, look left and right to make sure you have full peripheral vision.
Protection / Durability
Best Sunglasses for Military and Law Enforcement – 3 If you’re like most people, you throw your sunglasses around, sit on them, stuff them in your bag, etc. Police work can be tough on gear and sunglasses. Although aviators look cool, “wire” frames bend easily and can deteriorate quickly.
Keep your sunglasses looking good and working longer by choosing a durable plastic frame with polycarbonate lenses that will better suit the everyday rigors of police work. Many also come with interchangeable lenses so you can change colors depending on the conditions. Tough lenses often also have full ballistic protection, just in case you find a spent bullet casing flying at you.
Some units require officers to choose sunglasses that meet the ANSI Z87.1 safety standard (U.S. example)
This standard applies to durability against blunt impact, dust, fine particles, and other potentially harmful conditions. Look for “Z87” stamped or engraved on sunglasses that meet this standard.
No matter what sunglasses you choose, make sure they fit you. If you’re experiencing poor visibility or straining to see, it’s time to get a new pair.