To preface, I’m a civilian, and have not been in any type of law enforcement.
In the past l’ve heard some officers buy certain things for themselves because it might be better quality than what they get from their station.
I’m not sure if any of that is true. But if it is, has anyone bought some of their own gear (tourniquet, holsters, etc.)? I have a friend going through the academy and I’d like to get him something that’s trustworthy for him to carry around and be able to trust that it would work whenever he needs it.
Comments
A high end flashlight or a nice tourniquet would be great. Some other ideas could be a sturdy patrol bag, rite in the rain notepads, etc
Flashlight is the only item I spent my own money on.
I’d also recommend a quality flashlight (Streamlight, pelican), some gloves both lightweight and heavyweight (hatch or first tactical are my faves), and/or a thermos (like a Stanley), an insulated tumbler, or an IFAK with a CAT tourniquet.
Almost everything I wear that isn’t the actual uniform or firearm gear, I swapped out for my personal items. Extra handcuffs, different belt, different pouches, etc.
The first thing I swapped out was the dumbass fischer-price weapon light the department put on our guns.
Overall not necessarily a bad idea. However if, in the course of your duties, you end up injuring (or worse) yourself or someone else and your ‘individual’ equipment (as opposed to the equipment issued by your department) is the issue, you might be in trouble.
Centrifuge training equipment mount.
I’ve bought a lot of my own stuff but that’s a good gift, especially paired with a tourniquet dealy.
I wish I could buy my own stuff but I’m stuck using crappy outdated garbage because “history and tradition“.
That being said, anything that isn’t on my uniform, I absolutely purchased myself. Our issued equipment is absolutely contacted to the lowest bidder, and it shows.
A good flashlight, knife and patrol bag were at the top of my list. Surefire, Modlite or Cloud Defensive for flashlights, Benchmade or Microtech for knives and 5.11 Wing Man are all solid choices.