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It's pretty hard to find the right gift for anyone this time of year. Buying gifts for cops is especially difficult. That's why the editors at POLICE have assembled this quick look at a dozen great gifts that any cop would love.
So what did I find from the major vendors for base layers? There are base layers from cotton, various polyester/Lycra blends, wool blends, and layers for cold or hot weather. The choices seem to be endless.
A good duty light should be easily carried on a duty belt, provide adequate illumination up to 50 yards away, and be long enough that it protrudes from both sides of a fist so the light can act as a last-ditch impact weapon. The light should also be able to be used in conjunction with a sidearm in the Harries or Rogers technique. Xenon bulbs put out a tight beam and mega amounts of lumens; but they eat batteries and the lamp assemblies are expensive when you need a new bulb. LEDs, on the other hand, are rapidly approaching the light output of xenon at 50 yards or so. These models became available in 2009.
While giving waterproof jackets a "test wearing," I have had input from several members of my local department and from guys I shoot with. We have found that 5.11 Tactical, BlackHawk, Blauer, Elbeco, Fechheimer, Propper, The Force, Tru Spec by Atlanco, Under Armour, and Woolrich's Elite Tactical Series serve well in a wide range of conditions.
It took some searching and reading, but I managed to come up with cutlery and tools for duty that won't break the bank and won't break when cutting open a heavy-duty box.
You might not be Cinderella or even Prince Charming, but you deserve a pair of boots that meets your finicky standards. Good looks are only part of the criteria that need to be met. Your boots should provide proper fit, comfort, and durability, in addition to any other personal preferences. New footwear styles for patrol include such features as side zippers, new waterproofing technologies, and improved shock absorption, not to mention good-looking designs.
Gloves have become part of a cop's daily uniform as much as a badge or belt. The reason for this is simple: A pair of gloves protects your hands from the elements, abrasions, cuts, and punctures from needles or other sharp objects.
The first thing I consider when looking at glasses is whether they will effectively protect my eyes. Don't buy eyewear where you buy your morning coffee. It is not going to protect you.
With all of the duty holsters available today, it's amazing to think the only option for police officers used to be black leather. Now there's also laminate, nylon, and all manner of synthetics. For finish there's basketweave, plain, or high gloss. Not to mention increasingly innovative retention devices in holsters from level 1 to 3. Here's a selection of holsters for duty carry encompassing all of these variations.
Some officers don't give patrol gloves a second thought. It's time that you did. Gloving up can mean much more than protecting yourself from inclement weather. Today's patrol gloves can also protect against microbes, bacteria, blood-borne pathogens, needles, and even knives. They can help you scale chain-link fences, keep your extremities warm, and give you a better grip when you need it.
So what makes a good duty light? It all depends on what you want to use it for. Obviously, you want it to illuminate an area or areas, but there are other considerations.
The S2Vs did not disappoint me. They were comfortable on the mixed hard surfaces I wore them on. And since we were in the freeze thaw of February, I was able to see how slip resistant the soles were.
Find the right black boots for your shift. Read our product roundup that includes 5.11 Tactical, BlackHawk, Bates, Danner, Haix, Lowa, Magnum, Original S.W.A.T., OTB Footwear, Ridge Footwaer, Timberland Pro, and Thorogood.
Although the folks at BlackHawk do not promote their Warrior Wear Operations Jacket for covert operations, after months of use, I have found it to be one of the finest quality overt/covert jackets I have ever owned.
There were law enforcement exhibits in the lobby, in the hallways, in the meeting rooms from one end of the rambling convention center to the other. And they had a lot of great products on display. Here's a look at our favorites from this year's SHOT.
Read about the newest BDUs, tacpants, and jumpsuits for law enforcement.
Find out about the latest bags and cases for all of your gear.