LA Police told not to put on riot gear because it might inflame the crowd

[minionofmidas]

The problem with riot gear is that it sends the message you expect the crowd to make trouble.

Donning of riot gear sends the message that the *police* intend to make trouble.

This isn't always police intent, of course, although sometimes it undeniably is, but that's the way it comes across. When you're surrounded by police but all has been quiet for a while and they suddenly all put their helmets back on etc, you brace yourself for whatever's coming next.