Protective clothing is significant in every sector that has workers on the field. And when it comes to the police department, their highly specialized protective clothing and equipment take the form of police tactical gear.
What Is Police Tactical Gear?
Police officers are professionals responsible for the enforcement of law and maintenance of order. They are the ones who decide to be in the line of fire, to put themselves and their families at risk for others.
To make sure that officers are safe from harm, there are dedicated tactical gear available from different manufacturers. One example would be tactical clothing that can protect police officers from gunshots.
Tactical gear is designed to enhance the safety and mobility of the officer while in an unpredictable, dangerous environment. A police supplies store will offer two types of tactical gear:
- Personal protective gear
- Non-personal protective gear
Personal protective gear includes ballistic armor, helmets, knee and elbow pads, etc. The non-personal protective gear includes vests, batons, pepper spray, handcuffs, etc. This equipment is available in the police supplies store.
11 Must-Have Police Tactical Gear Items
Police tactical gears protect the officers from the danger of their jobs and provide an advantage in any dangerous situation. The following is a list of police gear that can be of use to law enforcement personnel.
- Bullet Proof Vest
Bulletproof vests are a type of personal protective equipment that is designed to protect the wearer from firearm projectiles and shrapnel from explosions.
They are made of different materials depending on the intended use, and these materials include Kevlar, Dyneema, and metal mesh.
Their main purpose is to save lives by stopping bullets from piercing their target so they become less lethal. Bulletproof vests have been in use for many years now as a safety device for law enforcement officials.
- Helmet
Helmets have become an essential part of police attire. They protect the wearer from any physical trauma that can be caused by objects like projectiles and rocks.
There are four different types of helmets for police officers, each with a specific use:
- Ballistic helmet,
- Hard hat,
- Tactical helmet, and
- Riot helmet.
Ballistic helmets are bullet-resistant and hard hats offer protection against certain levels of impact. Tactical helmets protect against blunt forces or projectiles while riot helmets protect from both blunt force and projectile impacts.
It is because of these varying levels of protection that it is important to know what type of helmet the police officer should be wearing in the field.
- Gun Holsters
With the rise of gun violence in the country, law enforcement is arming themselves with more protective gear. One of these pieces is a holster.
A holster is a tool used to hold or prevent the unintentional movement of a pistol, usually in a position from which it can be easily removed for quick use. A holster can be as simple as a sheath made of wood or leather, but it can also be police tactical gear such as the one made by LA police gear.
- Pistol Belt
Pistol belts are a part of law enforcement gear and many police officers wear them for stability and safety. A pistol belt is a belt worn around the waist to which the wearer’s gun and other equipment are attached.
A pistol belt is generally used by law enforcement officers for carrying their weapons. It centers the weight of a weapon in a manner that doesn’t affect the wearer’s mobility or balance or interfere with their uniform. It is also used so an officer can access their firearm quickly in the event they need it while they are on duty.
- Shotgun Holster
The use of shotgun holsters by police is a recent development in law enforcement gear. Shotgun holsters are used to add versatility to weapons and match the needs of different circumstances.
The use of a shotgun holster by police started as an experiment. However, it’s now being used by law enforcement agencies all over the world. Shotgun holsters are equipped with safety features, and interchangeable stocks, and can hold up to 8 rounds in them.
- Night Vision Goggles
Police tactical gear has evolved tremendously over the past few decades. Night vision goggles were originally used to observe people in the dark or during the night, but now they are used by police officers as a tool to see at night.
Night vision is an infrared light amplification technology that relies on detecting and intensifying infrared radiation or natural thermal emission from objects. Police officers are equipped with night vision goggles to help them see even in complete darkness.
- Tactical Gloves
Tactical gloves are another type of law enforcement gear that adds to protection and grip while at work. They come in handy while climbing a fence or handling weapons and wrestling with criminals in hand-to-hand combat.
Tactical gloves are specially designed to offer the right fit, so they must be enforced with Velcro straps or buttons that are hard enough not to be pulled off easily by suspects but also easy enough for the officer to quickly undo in an emergency.
- Body Camera
Body cam is a device used mainly by law enforcement officers to record their on-duty interactions with the public. Body cams can be either worn on the chest or mounted to the officer’s eyeglasses. It records audio and video feeds of what a law enforcement officer hears and sees.
It is designed to provide impartial evidence of an incident and provide transparency for police-citizen interactions.
- Handcuffs
Handcuffs are used to restrain suspects and wrong-doers. They can be made of metal, plastic, or cloth with either a chain or rigid bar for securing the handcuff to either a leg of a table or a chair leg.
There are two main types of handcuff: chain-linked cuffs that join two handcuffs together, and rigid cuffs that each have their locking mechanism and slide over one another around the suspect’s wrists.
- Tactical Flashlights
Flashlights are needed to navigate dark and dim-lit areas easily and quickly. Because of the rigidity and powerful output capacity of tactical flashlights, they can also be used as a self-defense tool when in danger. The light could be used as a distraction or to hinder the vision of an oncoming attacker.
There are two types of flashlights – hand-held and mounted. Hand-held flashlights can be carried anywhere. Mounted flashlights are attached to weapons or bike handles.
The former is preferred for personal protection and as a crime deterrent. The latter is seen as more practical because it does not have to be actively operated by hand.
- Gun And Magazine
On any given day, law enforcement personnel deal with a variety of potentially hazardous scenarios. A pistol or firearm is a necessary part of the police gear, although they are rarely used.
The majority of police officers who are currently on duty prefer to use Glock handguns. The majority of police handguns come with 15 to 17 rounds of ammo. Also, police officers are allowed to carry an extra round of magazines.
Conclusion
Police tactical gear has become an integral part of police uniforms and police vehicles. They are versatile, handy, rigid, and add to the efficiency of the operating person.
Police and the general public can be safeguarded by cuffs, pepper spray, weapons, and tactical gear. Officers can be shielded from head injuries by helmets and tactical vests. Police officers can defend themselves and the public from danger by carrying the appropriate police gear and tactical bags.
