



Each year, the Alameda County Sheriff’s office hosts Urban Shield, a trade show and series of exercises for first responders, primarily police department SWAT teams from around the nation. (Similar events have also been held in Boston and Dallas.) The first two days are taken up by a trade show, where vendors show off gear from armored vehicles to dog-mounted cameras and anatomically correct medical dummies. Mother Jones’ Shane Bauer is attending this year’s event and has been tweeting some of the highlights.

There is a police and SWAT team meet-up in Oakland called #UrbanShield right now, and I’m inside it. — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

At the Urban Shield cop convention in Oakland, sponsored by Homeland Security and a lot of companies. pic.twitter.com/LujKp3gmwa — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014TK TK TK

Here are the corporate sponsors of Urban Shield. pic.twitter.com/bX3EKhgzRw — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

Here’s all the gear that was being hawked:

“See our new toy? This’ll blind you for 10 minutes. Go into a bar fight, blind everybody, then say “what’s going on?” pic.twitter.com/vT4qTwY0kR — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

The Armored Group representative said police need these trucks for protests because protesters might shoot at cops. pic.twitter.com/7Vjn7UGAKO — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

The Armored Group representative said cops use these vehicles to respond to suicide threats. pic.twitter.com/siKrumUTb7 — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

Less lethal weapons at the #UrbanShield cop convention in Oakland. pic.twitter.com/vtWintRDIt — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

A magazine I picked up at Urban Shield. pic.twitter.com/sAUYZHMJjv — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

Surveillance vans for sale by The Armored Group LLC. pic.twitter.com/YI75r4pJ6L — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

“Tom” the medical dummy at the #UrbanShield cop convention in Oakland. pic.twitter.com/NlaaLh0wes — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

Here’s a camera that SWAT teams can slide under a door. pic.twitter.com/cY8zZ57Jn9 — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

SWAT teams send dogs into buildings first with these cameras mounted to their backs. pic.twitter.com/tFIp2CqGnd — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

The Urban Shield raffle just started. They are giving away knives and pistols. One guy just won 3 AR-15 magazines. — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

Homeland Security sells at 3D printed drone for $1,100. Enter coordinates and it drops stuff “like in Hunger games.” pic.twitter.com/17g2n0JwWH — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

Homeland Security made a DNA machine to see if ppl have real US relatives when they apply for visas. 90 min results. pic.twitter.com/ObHMK9k4GV — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

Here are some t-shirts for sale at the Urban Shield cop convention in Oakland right now. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/NJV8t6vQyx — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

T-shirt for sale at the Urban Shield cop convention in Oakland. pic.twitter.com/E0EsLlDszE — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014

Some choice quotes, photos, and video from the convention:

SWAT teams before they go on a 48 hour STRAIGHT competition around the Bay, including BART and the Golden Gate. pic.twitter.com/FIS29qZPKK — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 5, 2014

“We’re “occupying” this hall,” a cop laughs. “I think there *are* protesters running around.” “I’m sure. They won’t miss this opportunity” — Shane Bauer (@shane_bauer) September 4, 2014