Private Security Firms

Why do police / security guards / agents wear mirrored shades?

It seems like mirrored shades are so common with police, security guards, or FBI-esque agents that they are basically associated with each other. Why is that so? Is there any reason for security guards or police to trek around in those shades? What purpose do they serve?

Public Comments

1. No one can tell that they are stoned. And you can look at the women without being too obvious.
2. it keeps the sun out of their eyes
3. Protection
4. They think it makes them look incognito and cool but, they really where them to check out the chickaroos like the other post stated.
5. Eye protection is one reason, and a suspect can't tell what part of the body you are currently checking visually for weapons. But the mirrored shades are going the way of the do-do bird and more and more of the "newbies" are going for the new Body-Specs glasses and goggles, hate to admit it but I ordered a pair also.
6. what kind of sunglasses LEO's wear are totally up to them...in my department there is not a regulation...and if you look to your right...you will see that I do not wear mirrored sunglasses...
7. For the most part, it's a way for them to do surveillence. Just like you might see a mirrored bubble on the ceiling of a walmart. You never know if they are actually looking at you or not. Bikers wear leather jackets for a reason. Not just for looks. It protects them from the pavement.
8. It makes it a lot easier to study a suspect because he or she can not see you staring at them.
9. They've all been watching too-many "Smokey & the Bandit" re-runs...!!!!
10. in all honesty there is no departmental rule thats says they have to. mirroed glasses can cause probs if not in the correct light. they wear them just to try and look cool. no other reason. ----------retired texas deputy sheriff----------