5 Optional Pieces of Equipment Every Police Officer Should Carry

Police officers rely upon the equipment they carry to protect citizens and themselves from harm. Many items such as a firearm are standard issue for a police officer, but some items are chosen at the discretion of the officer. Here are five optional pieces of equipment that can benefit law enforcement professionals.

Body Cam

The body cam has become standard equipment for policemen in larger cities. It is recommended for those who serve in smaller departments where budgeting may not allow body cams for every officer. A body cam is able to create a record of events in real-time. It can help to identify individuals involved in a police matter, and it also helps to validate an officer’s response to a crisis.

Collapsible Baton

The collapsible baton has been used by police officers for many years. It has become an iconic image associated with policemen who walk a beat. According to The Home Security Superstore, the collapsible baton can still be useful in modern times as a practical, non-lethal form of defense. A baton can be used to diffuse a situation that does not require the use of a firearm. It is small and adds very little weight to the officer’s belt. Another plus is that a collapsible baton is easy to master.

Extra Ammunition

This would seem like an obvious choice, but many officers choose to carry a minimum amount of ammunition. Having spare bullets on hand is something police officers might not appreciate until those spare rounds are needed. According to Vedder Holsters, some holsters are designed specifically for carrying extra clips of ammunition. At the very least one additional clip of bullets should be carried, and some officers opt for two or three. At the end of the day it’s about whatever makes the officer feel safe.

Medical Info Card

Law enforcement is a line of work that carries risk. The sad reality is that many police officers will be injured in the line of duty. Keeping a medical info card on hand could be lifesaving in some situations. Medical info cards for police officers can contain an officer’s blood type, allergies, and other information that is needed immediately by first responders.

Protecting yourself while working as a police officer should be a priority. It’s important to find the things that work best for you and make you feel the most safe while you’re on duty. These optional items can sometimes make an important difference for an officer that finds themselves in the presence of danger.

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