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

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The problem with riot gear is that it sends the message you expect the crowd to make trouble, and people have a nasty habit of tending to live up to the expectations one has of them, be it good or ill.  That said, if you're going to have a line of police in close proximity to protesters, helmets would seem advisable, so yes to hats, but no to bats.