| The police duty belt contains the equipment that a | | | | handcuffs, and a baton. In addition, some |
| police or security officer must carry with them at all | | | | municipalities carry chemical sprays, such as pepper |
| times. These items vary by municipality, but generally | | | | spray or mace, and some carry battery powered |
| include handcuffs, a police flashlight, radio, a baton, a | | | | stunning devices. |
| handgun and ammunition and pepper spray, mace or | | | | Most officers will also carry their own small |
| other chemical spray. Each of the items carried on | | | | notebooks and ink pen, and may also carry a cell |
| the police officer's duty belt is a high performance, | | | | phone. The decision on what an officer carries with |
| heavy duty piece of potentially lifesaving equipment. | | | | him in the field must balance the needs of keeping |
| DEMANDING JOB, HIGH PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT | | | | the officer safe and being realistic in what the officer |
| The police officer is in a high stress job that can | | | | can actually carry. It is always a judgment call when |
| become dangerous at a moments notice. When we | | | | deciding what should be carried and what should be |
| think of the needs of a police officer, we often think | | | | left off the belt. |
| of the defensive weapons they carry, such as a | | | | The handgun and holster, radio, and tactical flashlight |
| handgun or a baton. While these items do make up | | | | are not lightweight items, but heavy duty, high |
| an integral part of the high performance duty belt, | | | | performance equipment. While it is always advisable |
| they are certainly not the only part. | | | | to be over prepared for any situation, particularly in a |
| It is important then that the officer have the highest | | | | high pressure situation such as law enforcement, it is |
| quality, reliable equipment. By carrying a tactical | | | | not always possible. A police duty belt that weighs so |
| flashlight in the duty belt, as well as extra batteries | | | | much that it fatigues the police officer, shifts around |
| and a replacement bulb, the officer can be secure in | | | | when he runs after a suspect, or does not allow free |
| knowing that the flashlight that he has will work | | | | movement is more of a hinderer than a help. |
| when the need arises. In fact, most police officer's | | | | All of the equipment that is carried by the police |
| carry more than one flashlight, often one battery | | | | officer on his duty belt must be evenly distributed |
| operated and one rechargeable police flashlight. | | | | across the belt so that it is less likely to shift or |
| THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT | | | | cause back strain. The officer becomes accustomed |
| The equipment that a police officer carries on his | | | | to the location of each of the tools located on his |
| duty belt can save his life. With few exceptions, the | | | | belt and they become an extension of his hands. The |
| gear that is carried is decided by the municipality | | | | duty belt is an important and lifesaving piece of |
| where the officer is employed. Most duty belts will | | | | equipment, possibly the most important part of the |
| consist of a handgun and holster, additional | | | | police officer's uniform. |
| ammunition, a tactical flashlight, a radio and holster, | | | | |