I don't know the history of BOPE much but from what I gather they're similar to SWAT teams in the US. However throughout the movie they're seen in only very light tactical gear (black fatigues and maybe a light tactical vest). No helmets and possibly no bulletproof vests.
Is this because of the limited funding the agency has? Or because their tactics revolve mainly around stealth and full tactical gear would just slow them down and limit their movements?
I think it's mostly lack of funding.
Also, there's a difference between the outfitting of real BOPE and the ones on the screen. In real life, BOPE doesn't use SUVs to get around, but some sort of ugly armoured black van.
And they do wear flak vests, just not the heavy stuff Army and Marines and such use.
And it's probably partly a uniform and status thing too, to wear berets instead of helmets.
Here there are some pics of them. They clearly wear helmets in real life. You can also see the armoured vehicle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOPE
Cheers
The "Caveirao" - the big armoured vehicle - was not in use by the time the action of this movie was supposed to happen, and that is 1997. However, I do think that the director prefered them without the whole gear, making it look a lot more dramatic and giving the BOPE team a more personal image, making them look more human and manish. The "just grab a weapon and let's rock" kind of thing.
shareThe movie doesnt show, but they do wear heavy gear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Treinamento3.jpg
Mainly because all that equipament would only slow then down, but you got to remember the movie takes places more than 10 years ago.
shareI think it's because they can travel lighter without tactical gear which makes them more agile and stealthy. Vests and helmets would only serve to limit their agility in such cramped environments like the favelas. Obviously they may need to wear that stuff in certain situations.
Also i think it has to do with funding, corrupt cops are probably siphoning the cash away or selling their gear. You've seen how corruption is in the movie.
I think this was a choice by the director to allow you to actually see and hear the characters.
If they shot the film with them wearing the full gear (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOPE) we wouldn't be able to see their faces.
Ya dig?